The Exocet was fired from one of TNI AL’s SIGMA 10514-class frigates, KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332), and scored a direct hit after flying for about 195 seconds at the speed of 530 knots, according to a video released by the navy. The target is the former KRI Karang Tekok (982), a 69.8 metres long troop transport ship that was decommissioned in 2021.
The missile struck the ship’s starboard side, causing a large explosion that sank the ship in less than two minutes. The firing sequence was witnessed personally by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Ali.
Built by Bremen-based shipyard Lürssen Werft in 1998, KRI Karang Tekok was originally exported to Indonesia as a civilian fast ferry for the state-owned ferry and port operator, PT ASDP, which named it KFC Mahakam. In 2005, together with four of its sisterships, KFC Mahakam was given to TNI AL because it was becoming increasingly uneconomical for PT ASDP to maintain it whilst the navy was in need for fast troop transport vessels. At that time the ship had a top speed of 38 knots thanks to its waterjet propulsion
Following its transfer to the navy, KRI Karang Tekok received some modifications, including the installation of two 20mm cannons and a reduction in passenger capacity from 925 to 600 to make room for military equipment storage.
The SINKEX also marked the first time TNI AL’s SIGMA 10514-class frigate launched an Exocet missile. To note, just two months ago, TNI AL carried out its first-ever publicised VL MICA firing. In weeks to come, the navy might perform another SINKEX or live-fire exercise during the scheduled inter-service joint exercise with the Army (TNI AD) and Air Force (TNI AU) as well as Super Garuda Shield.
On July 1, Exercise Armada Jaya 2023 entered its amphibious landing phase where the Indonesian Marine Corps stormed Banongan Beach in Situbondo, East Java, using more than a dozen of Landing Craft Utility (LCU) and amphibious vehicles, including BMP-3F, PT-76, and BTR-50.
The last time TNI AL perform an Exocet live-fire exercise was in October 2019 when a SIGMA 9113-class corvette, KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda (367), fired the French-made missile to sink a decommissioned oiler, ex-KRI Sambu (902), at a distance of 72km in the Java Sea. Meanwhile, in 2021, the navy fired two Chinese-made C-705 missiles and sank former oiler KRI Balikpapan (901) in Natuna Waters.
TNI AL has operated Exocet missiles since the 1970s when it received Fatahillah-class corvettes and Mandau-class Fast Attack Craft (FAC) that were equipped with Exocet MM38. TNI AL’s two new domestically-built FACs that were just commissioned last month, KRI Kapak (625) and KRI Panah (626), will also be armed with Exocet.
TNI AL has also expressed its desire for the country’s future submarine fleet to be able to launch surface-to-surface missiles. Hence, if Indonesia chooses Scorpène-class submarines from France, it is very likely that the sub-launched version of Exocet, SM39, will be included in the contract. In several years, the Indonesian Air Force is also expected to operate the air-launched variant of the Exocet, AM39, with the introduction of second-hand Mirage 2000-5 and brand new Rafale fighter aircraft.
Warships Involved in Exercise Armada Jaya 2023:
KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata (331), KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332), KRI Abdul Halim Perdanakusuma (355), KRI John Lie (358), KRI Sultan Hasanuddin (366), KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda (367), KRI Alugoro (405), KRI Teluk Banten (516), KRI Surabaya (591), KRI Kerambit (627), KRI Sampari (628), KRI Tombak (629), KRI Halasan (630), KRI Layang (635), KRI Pulau Rengat (711), KRI Pulau Raas (722), KRI Soputan (923), and KRI Leuser (924).
Aircraft Involved:
2x CN-235-220, 1x NC212-200, 2x AS565 MBe, 2x Bell 412HP, and 1x ScanEagle UAS.
