VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta. Indonesia's submarine KRI Alugoro-405 is a testament to the strategic partnership between Indonesia and South Korea in defense cooperation,  Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto has said. The KRI Alugoro-405 was built by Surabaya-based shipbuilding company PT PAL Indonesia in cooperation with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), a South Korean shipyard and marine technology equipment company.

“What’s in front of us right now is proof of the greatness and love of the people for the nation as well as love for advanced technology and science. It is such a great work of a strategic partnership between Indonesia and South Korea,” Tjahjanto remarked at the inauguration of KRI Alugoro-45 at Selat Lampa port, Natuna district, Riau Islands on Tuesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Noer was officially installed as the first commander of KRI-Alugoro-405 on Tuesday.

The commissioning of KRI Alugoro-405 is part of TNI’s efforts to support the modernization of primary weapons defense systems, as planned by the Defense Ministry, to meet the needs of the 2024 Minimum Essential Force (MEF), Tjahjanto informed.

KRI Alugoro-405 officially became a part of the first fleet command (Koarmada) II of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) at the port facility in Selat Lampa, Natuna.

The submarine will be utilized to guard prone marine and border territory, for instance, North Natuna Sea and South China Sea.

Therefore, Commander Tjahjanto deliberately chose Selat Lampa port, Natuna, as the location for the submarine’s inauguration since the zone symbolizes the last national border, particularly to enforce national sovereignty across the sea.

During the inauguration, he also urged soldiers to maintain and protect KRI Alugoro-405.

“Protect, take care, and maintain our proud primary weapons defense system that currently becomes a warship of the Republic of Indonesia as well as a knighthood for you all. If you protect Alugoro, Alugoro will protect you, otherwise,” Tjahjanto remarked.

KRI Alugoro-405 is the first submarine built under cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea. It was assembled in the country by Surabaya-based PT PAL.

The submarine is equipped with several weapons technologies, such as eight tubes of 533-millimeter torpedos and 14 guided missiles. (Antaranews)