"We now have two, but we will add three more, which are being ordered from South Korea. Hopefully, they will be operational in 2015," he said while receiving a `Hiu Kencana` honorary officer's promotion at KRI Nanggala-402 submarine in the Sunda Strait in Cilegon, Banten province, West Java, here on Wednesday.
He said he hoped that by 2015, Indonesia would have five submarines to strengthen the security of the country`s maritime territory and support surface ships.
Meanwhile, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Soeparno said he hoped one of the submarines ordered from South Korea would be delivered after 2014, followed by another, so they could be brought into the fleet by early 2015.
"We hope that in 2015 we will have acquired five submarines ready for operations," he said.
Indonesia Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono pinned the `Hiu Kencana` brevets on Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo and Army Chief of Staff General Pramono Edhie Wibowo.
The medals were given to them in appreciation for their support in the development of the Navy, Admiral Soeparno said in a press statement.
Also attending the ceremony were Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Imam Sufaat, Vice Governor of Banten Rano Karno and other high ranking officials from TNI and the Ministry of Defense.
(H-YH)
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
