This preparation is a continuation of the statement made by Indonesian Minister of Defence and President-elect, Prabowo Subianto, on June 1, 2024, at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. In his speech, the minister announced Indonesia’s willingness to deploy significant peacekeeping forces under a UN mandate to help maintain and monitor a possible ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The country also plans to evacuate and provide medical treatment for up to a thousand wounded Palestinians at hospitals in Indonesia, the minister added.
Several days later, TNI Commander, General Agus Subiyanto, stated that the proposed peacekeeping force would consist of a Brigade-sized unit, two helicopters, and two hospital ships.
More recently, on July 18, Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder, PT PAL, revealed that in preparation for the possible deployment to Gaza, one of the country’s hospital ships, KRI Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo (991), has been repainted white to comply with the Geneva Convention’s requirements.
Furthermore, PT PAL told NavalNews that KRI Dr. Wahidin is currently undergoing a “thorough technical inspection” at its facility in Surabaya, East Java, to better ensure the ship’s readiness and verify that all onboard equipment is functioning properly.
To note, KRI Dr. Wahidin is the first Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) hospital ship constructed domestically. The 124-metre ship was built by PT PAL based on its Landing Platform Dock (LPD) design and launched in January 2021.
Previous Deployment to Egypt
Besides KRI Dr. Wahidin, TNI AL currently operates two other hospital ships; KRI Dr. Soeharso (990) and KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat (992), the latter of which was also built by PT PAL.
On January 18, KRI dr. Radjiman was dispatched to deliver 242 tonnes of humanitarian aid and a medical team to Gaza. However, the ship could not reach Gaza, according to Indonesian officials, as the Egyptian authorities only allowed the ship to stay at Al Arish Port for four days, during which the aid was transferred to the Egyptian Red Crescent for delivery to Gaza via the Rafah Border Crossing.
Given the security risks associated with the mission, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, the ship was sent with 36 naval special forces personnel onboard.
TNI AL stated that during its voyage, KRI Dr. Radjiman passed many foreign warships from multinational Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) and CTF 153 that are performing counter-piracy and other maritime security operations in both areas.
Interestingly, the navy also revealed that several “suspicious speed boats and fishing vessels” tailed KRI Dr. Radjiman albeit maintaining a safe distance. TNI AL suspects that these crafts might be acting as target reporting units.
Following a 57-day voyage spanning 10,983 nautical miles, KRI Dr. Radjiman safely returned to Jakarta on March 15.
Author’s Comments
If Jakarta proceeds to send two hospital ships to Gaza or Egypt, KRI Dr. Radjiman would likely accompany KRI Dr. Wahidin. At the time of writing, KRI Dr. Radjiman still maintains its white paint from the February deployment whilst KRI Dr. Soeharso has not undergone a similar repainting.
In addition, on June 13, a pre-deployment readiness inspection was already being held onboard KRI Dr. Radjiman.
The recent and upcoming plan to deploy hospital ships to Gaza or Egypt highlights the growing operational demands placed on TNI AL. Along with Indonesia’s ambition to play a more active role in international security, the need for versatile and capable naval assets has become increasingly evident.
At the same time, the necessity for transport vessels for domestic operations remains high, including for military operations other than war (MOOTW). Additionally, as an archipelagic nation prone to natural disasters, the country requires robust logistical capabilities to ensure timely and effective response to emergencies as well as to maintain connectivity among its many islands.
This dual pressure of international commitments and domestic needs has further encouraged TNI AL to increase its sealift capacity. In fact, on July 2, TNI AL Chief of Staff, Admiral Muhammad Ali, announced the plan to procure more LPDs and Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) that will be constructed domestically by Indonesian shipyards, including PT PAL.
Moreover, Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs) have been included in TNI AL’s future fleet design.
