Both ships were built at Indonesian shipyards by national means as part of the Indonesian defense industry’s indigenous production trend; KRI Golok-688 was built by PT Lundin Industry Invest, while KRI Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991 was built by PT Indonesian PAL.
Admiral Yudo Morgono, Chief of the Indonesian Navy, was the event’s chief guest. Speaking at the event, Admiral Morgono expressed his excitement for the new fast-attack craft, KRI Golok, saying, “This type of ship is not only important to support naval operations as part of the task force and the Navy Fleet, but is a tangible manifestation of the Navy’s commitment to modernizing defense equipment in humanitarian operations.”
He also emphasized the significance of the new hospital ship by highlighting the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters as a result of geographical peculiarities:
“Indonesia’s position in the ring of fire makes Indonesia highly vulnerable to various types of natural disasters, while Indonesia’s geographical condition as an archipelagic country requires the ability to project health services, humanitarian assistance, and disaster management from one island to another across the waters.”
Admiral Yudo Morgono, Chief of the Indonesian Navy
About KRI Golok (688):
KRI Golok-688 is a Klewang-class fast attack vessel designed by PT Lundin Industry Invest. It is a stealthy, wave-piercing carbon trimaran vessel. The class’ lead ship, KRI Klewang, was destroyed in a deadly fire in 2012, leaving KRI Golok as the lone ship in the class.
PT Lundin launched KRI Golok-688 for the Indonesian Navy on 21 August 2021. She has a total length (Loa) of 62.53 meters, a width of 16 meters, a ship height of 18.7 meters, and a weight of 53.1 tons (ed. note: PT Lundin mentions a displacement of 245 tons). The maximum speed of 28 knots, cruising speed of 16 knots. The vessel is armed with a 30 mm cannon and 12.7 mm gun and is capable of carrying 25 crew members.
The Golok is a trimaran ship with a pointed forward shape, making it easy to execute hit-and-run tactics and maneuver in the littoral waters of the archipelago’s seas.
Because the hull is made of carbon fiber composite, the radar cross-section is reduced, making this ship harder to detect by enemy radar. In terms of strength and weight, this carbon fiber composite trumps steel. Additionally, this material can minimize bulk, be anti-rust and anti-dent, boost soundproofing, and reduce vibration or waves.
About KRI Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo (991):
Launched by the Indonesian shipyard PT PAL on 07 January 2021, KRI Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo (991) is an Indonesian Navy hospital ship named after Indonesian national hero Wahidin Soedirohoesodo (1852-1917). He was a doctor and education reformer in the Dutch East Indies who co-founded the Javanese self-improvement society Budi Utomo.
The design of the ship is based on the existing Makassar-class of Landing Platform Dock (LPD).
She is 124 meters long, 21.8 meters wide with a displacement of 7,290 tons. It has a maximum speed of 18 knots, cruising speed of 14 knots, and economic speed of 12 knots. KRI Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo has an endurance of up to 30 days at sea with a range of 10,000 nautical miles. With 120 crew and 66 medical personnel, this ship is capable of carrying out operational missions equivalent to a type C hospital.
This capability is supported by outpatient polyclinic facilities (general, eye, dental, etc.), emergency room, operating room, inpatient room, and radiology unit. Mobility for carrying out medical evacuation missions is also supported by the ability to transport medical helicopters, ambulance boats, and LCVPs.
