The Navy chief stated that the warships ran short of spare parts due to the limited budget set for the TNI.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Several new Indonesian warships lack the necessary spare parts, and thus, are encountering difficulties in operating optimally, stated Indonesian Navy Chief Admiral Marsetio.
"The Bung Tomo class warships are multi-role light frigates produced in Britain and are only equipped with spare parts for three months of sailing operations," Masetio noted during a leadership meeting of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) in the Cilangkap TNI Headquarters here on Monday.
He revealed that not only the Bung Tomo warships but the Sigma Class corvette warships made in the Netherlands too are running short of the same spare parts.
"The Bung Tomo class warships have just arrived this year, and we have three warships of that type," the Navy chief remarked.
He stated that the Bung Tomo class warships had almost run out of spare parts while being dispatched to Indonesia.
"They can still be operated for a mission but for a very limited operation," Marsetio explained.
The Navy chief stated that the warships ran short of spare parts due to the limited budget set for the TNI.
On the same occasion, TNI Commander General Moeldoko noted that during the leadership meeting, the TNI was formulating a budget concept for the 2015-2019 Strategic Plan II pertaining to the maintenance cost of TNIs arms, including for the purchase of the Navys warships.
"We, so far, have a strategic plan to modernize only the arms system. With the strategic maintenance and repair plans in place, the allocation of funds can be guaranteed," he stated.
In the meantime, the Indonesian Navy has named one of its new frigates KRI John Lie-358 in honor of the national hero.
The new warship was inaugurated by Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Marsetio during a ceremony held at Bitung port in North Sulawesi on Saturday.
The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking navy officers, regional government officials, and family members of the Late retired Rear Admiral John Lie.
Admiral Marsetio revealed that the government had inducted three more frigates into its naval force, one of them being christened as KRI John Lie-358 in honor of the heros services. This warship was manufactured by British BAE.
"All the achievements of Rear Admiral John Lie have inspired development in Indonesia," he remarked.
He hoped the name would boost patriotic emotions among crew members of the ship in carrying out their duties of safeguarding the countrys sea sovereignty.
Marsetio further noted that KRI John Lie-358 would strengthen the fleet of the eastern command.
The Navy is currently launching operations to detain foreign vessels fishing illegally in Indonesian waters.
A lawmaker hailed the determination shown by Navy Chief Admiral Marsetio to stamp out illegal fishing from the country.
"We hope that the problems faced by the navy in chasing illegal fishing perpetrators in the past due to fuel shortage should not happen again," stated Hermano of the PKS faction.
"No more warships should remain idle due to unavailability of fuel, thereby allowing foreign fishing vessels to freely steal our fish," Hermano emphasized.
Admiral Marsetio said the navy will be ready with warships to render a major blow to illegal fishing as ordered by President Joko Widodo, he stressed.
He remarked that during the past, the navy could not use its fleet against illegal fishing as the required budget was not available.
"Now, however, the problem had been sorted out. A budget has been set aside for that purpose in the 2015 state budget," he noted.
The World Food Organization (FAO) stated that Indonesia annually suffers potential losses worth Rp30 trillion due to illegal fishing.
Minister for Marine and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti pointed out that the losses incurred are even much larger.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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