Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Muhammad Ali, led the inauguration ceremony of the two newest vessels along with the new commanders: Major Hariz Sandy Wibowo as commander of KRI Hampala-880 and Lieutenant Colonel Guntur Prastyawan as commander of KRI Lumba-Lumba-881.
"The names Hampala and Lumba-Lumba attached to this ship have deep meaning. It reflects a tough, agile, and adaptive character," Ali remarked during an inauguration ceremony at Sunda Kelapa Pier on Tuesday.
He explained that Hampala, the name of a freshwater fish species, symbolizes strength and a high fighting spirit, while Lumba-Lumba, a marine mammal species, symbolizes agility, intelligence, and excellent navigational abilities in the ocean.
"KRI Hampala-880 and KRI Lumba-Lumba-881 are real manifestations of the Navy's defense equipment modernization program. This ship is equipped with a 40 mm cannon and a 12.7 mm cannon, as well as maneuverability up to a speed of 24 knots," the admiral detailed.
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Furthermore, the fast patrol ships were designed to support military operations in maintaining sovereignty and maritime security patrols. He highlighted that the ships can also conduct search and rescue (SAR) missions and support troop infiltration needs.
KRI Hampala-880 will then strengthen the Navy Main Base (Lantamal) XI Merauke under the Koarmada III, and KRI Lumba-Lumba-881 will strengthen Lantamal XIII Tarakan under the Koarmada II.
The domestic shipyard PT Caputra Mitra built the two fast patrol boats in Cirebon, West Java. KRI Hampala and KRI Lumba-Lumba are the 10th and 11th fast patrol ships built by the shipyard simultaneously in 26 days.
After inaugurating the two KRI commanders, Admiral Ali, along with officials of the Indonesian Navy Headquarters, Commander of Fleet II Rear Admiral Ariantyo Condrowibowo, and Commander of Fleet III Hersan continued to review KRI Hampala and took a group photo with the crews of KRI Hampala and KRI Lumba-Lumba in the dock area.
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Translator: Genta Tenri, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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