SINKEX: Indonesian Frigate Sunk by Missiles and Bombs

SINKEX ex-KRI Slamet Riyadi
Decommissioned frigate, ex-KRI Slamet Riyadi, caught fire after being hit by missiles and bombs. TNI AL Picture.
A decommissioned frigate split into three and sank after being struck by four anti-ship missiles (Exocet MM40 Block 3, C-802, and C-705) and four free fall bombs (M117/Mk-12 General Purpose) in a joint SINKEX (Sinking Exercise) held in the Java Sea on July 31, 2023. The event took place just a month after a decommissioned troop transport vessel was sunk by an Exocet during the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) Exercise Armada Jaya (Great Armada) 2023.
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The SINKEX was carried out during the sea phase of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Joint Exercise 2023 (Latgab 23) that involved more than 7,500 soldiers and at least 17 warships as well as around two dozen fighter and transport aircraft and helicopters. TNI Commander, Admiral Yudo Margono, chiefs of staff of all service branches, as well as several high-ranking government officials and legislators witnessed the firing from hospital ship KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat (992) that served as a command ship.

C-802 (top) and C-705 (bottom) missiles being launched from KRI Yos Sudarso and KRI Tombak. TNI AL Picture.

The two French-made Exocet were fired from an Indonesian Navy’s (TNI AL) SIGMA 10514-class frigates, KRI R.E. Martadinata (331), and a Bung Tomo-class Multi-Role Light Frigate (MRLF), KRI John Lie (358). Meanwhile, the Chinese-made C-802 and C-705 missiles were launched from a Van Speijk-class frigate, KRI Yos Sudarso (353), and a KCR-60M Fast Attack Craft (FAC) KRI Tombak (629), respectively.

A TNI AU F-16 (Taill number TS-1602) prepares to take off from Iswahjudi AFB in East Java to sink ex-KRI Slamet Riyadi. TNI AU Picture.

To complete the kill chain, two F-16s (tail number TS-1601 and TS-1602) from the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) 3rd Fighter Squadron released four M117/MK-12 General Purpose (GP) Bombs. Two more warships, KRI Abdul Halim Perdanakusuma (355) and  KRI Sampari (628) were also prepared to fire additional C-802 and C-705 missiles in case more firepower was needed.

SINKEX ex-KRI Slamet Riyadi
M117/MK-12 GP Bombs impact on ex-KRI Slamet Riyadi. TNI AL Picture.

Official photos and videos released by the Indonesia military show that all four missiles and four bombs scored direct hits on the target, ex-KRI Slamet Riyadi (352), causing the vessel to split into at least three parts before it descended into the depths

SINKEX ex-KRI Slamet Riyadi
ex-KRI Slamet Riyadi split into three parts and sank. TNI AL Picture.

KRI Slamet Riyadi was one of six Dutch-built Van Speijk-class frigates (modelled on the British Leander-class frigate) that Indonesia procured second-hand from the Netherlands in the 1980s. After its transfer to TNI AL, the 113 metres long ship was renamed after Ignatius Slamet Riyadi, an Indonesian national hero and army officer who fought against the Dutch during the Indonesian War of Independence (1945-1949).

HNLMS Van Speijk (F802) before being transferred to TNI AL and renamed to KRI Slamet Riyadi. Dutch Ministry of Defence Photo.

After serving for more than 30 years in TNI AL, KRI Slamet Riyadi was decommissioned in August 2019. However, its main gun, an OTO Melara 76mm, was refurbished and is now being used at TNI AL’s Naval Gunnery Firing Range in Paiton, East Java. To note, in 2020, there was a discussion to scuttle the ship in waters off Karangasem Regency (located in the western part of Bali Island) to help boost local tourism as at that time it was believed that the sunken frigate will become a great diving spot. Until now, KRI Slamet Riyadi is the only Van Speijk-class frigate that has been retired by Indonesia.

KRI Slamet Riyadi decommissioning ceremony in Surabaya City, East Java (2019). Note that the ship’s main gun has been removed. TNI AL Picture.

This latest SINKEX is the third missile live-firing exercise carried out by the Indonesian Navy in the last four months. Previously, on April 29, TNI AL carried out its first-ever publicised VL MICA Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) firing. Moreover, on June 30, a decommissioned troop transport vessel, KRI Karang Tekok (982), was sunk by using an Exocet missile.

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