Head of Information Service of the Indonesian Navy Main Base (Lantamal) III Jakarta Lieutenant Colonel M. Qomar Syarifudin stated on Thursday that the three Chinese warships were identified as PLAN Hainan (31), PLAN Liuzhou (FFG 537), and PLAN Hengyang (FFG 568).
He remarked that no joint activities were conducted between his side and the Chinese Navy.
"We did not carry out any collaborative activities with them. They are having their free program schedule," Syarifudin explained.
During the welcoming ceremony, Brigadier General Harry Indarto, Commander of Lantamal III, emphasized in his speech that the visit symbolizes a gesture of friendship between the Indonesian Navy and the Chinese Navy.
"This friendly visit is important to enhance the brotherhood of the two countries' navies and also improve bilateral relations between the Chinese and Indonesian governments," Indarto remarked.
He noted that the Chinese Navy activities in Jakarta had been coordinated with the Indonesian Navy and the Chinese Naval Attaché.
"While in Jakarta, we hope they can take a short break before continuing their duties," Indarto stated.
PLAN Hainan (31) is a helicopter carrier of the Chinese Navy that was commissioned on April 23, 2021. It was built by the Chinese shipyard Hudong-Zhonghua and launched on September 25, 2019. The warship is the first unit of the Type 075 LHD ship built by Hudong-Zhonghua for the Chinese Navy.
The vessel can carry 30 medium-sized helicopters, including WZ-10 attack helicopters, medium transport helicopters, and Z-18 and Z-20 anti-submarine helicopters. The Chinese helicopter carrier measures 243 meters in length and 43 meters in width. The Chinese Navy also uses the ship to support amphibious landing operations.
The two other Chinese frigates PLAN Liuzhou and PLAN Hengyang were also built by the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard. The PLAN Hengyang frigate has been operational since June 30, 2008, while the PLAN Liuzhou began its service on December 26, 2012.
The two ships are part of the South Sea Fleet (SSF).
The SSF is part of the Southern Theater Command Navy (STCN) fleet command that oversees the coastal area from the west of Dongshan, Fujian Province, to the South China Sea region.
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Translator: Genta Tenri M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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