Throughout its history, PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) has been reducing various ship variants, both battleships and commercial vessels, as well as general engineering products ranging from the Offshore Rig, Holtekamp Bridge, to the Dual Fuel Engine Barge Mounted Power Plant (BMPP). Some products are then considered to be the hallmark or trademark of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero), one of which is the Landing Dock ship.
The Landing Dock ship is a supporting vessel or support in the implementation of military operations. In the modern naval warfare strategy the Landing Dock ship has a strategic value because it is able to present a shock effect or the resistance to the enemy through its capabilities to rapidly and massive combat army landing troops at the frontline beach Enemy. The ship's nature was a supporting vessel of war military operations (OMP), during the peacetime that the vessel could be enabled in military operations other than war (OMSP). Based on the TNI LAW No. 34 year 2004, in the mission of OMSP, BRS vessels can carry out operation tasks help overcome the consequences of natural disasters, evacuation, and provision of humanitarian aid and help search and aid in accidents (search and Rescue). Not limited to these scopes, the Landing Dock ship also has the task of implementing international diplomacy missions.
The mastery of Landing Dock technology obtained through the transfer of Technology (ToT) from South Korean shipyard company Daesun Shipbuilding & Engineering. Starting from the government of Indonesia contracts for the purchase of four class Landing Dock unit of Makassar on the condition ToT in 2004, the first two vessels were built in South Korea, while the third ship KRI Banjarmasin (592) and the fourth KRI Banda ACEH (593) was built In Indonesia. PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) was appointed by the Government to work on the third and fourth ship projects with assistance from Daesun Shipbuilding & Engineering. The first Landing-Dock ship was KRI Makassar (590) launched in December 2006 and operates on April 2007. The second ship KRI Surabaya (591) was launched in March 2007 and operates August 2007. The third and fourth ships, respectively, were KRI Banjarmasin (592) which launched August 2008 and operates November 2009. KRI Banda Aceh (593) was launched in March 2010 and operates March 2011.
There are several adjustments made by PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) on third and fourth vessels, such as the addition of command and control system, 57 mm weapon system and air defence system. Adjustments are also made on the ship design adopts semi-stealth technology. Another adjustment is to be able to bring more helicopters. On the first and second Landing docks can only accommodate 3 helicopters (two on the deck and one on the hangar), while the third and fourth Landing docks are able to accommodate five helicopters (two on the deck and three on the hangar) with a 125 meter long vessel, more 3 meters long compared to the first and second ships.
Landing Dock ships are capable of transporting 35 vehicles such as personnel carrier trucks, light combat tanks and other tactical vehicles. In addition, the vessel was able to accommodate and deployed 507 soldiers with combat equipment, and 126 crew members. Each one is equipped with two personnel landing rides (LCVP) 23 meters to pass the combat landing force on the enemy's coastal areas.
The Landing Dock family operated by the Navy has increased to five units with the operation of KRI Semarang (594) produced by PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) on 21 January 2019. KRI Semarang is currently carrying out functions as a BRS vessel to meet the needs of the TNI AL BRS. At the same time PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) is currently conducting the process of producing BRS ship NAVY orders that will enter the keel laying stage on October 10, 2019 and planned to be operational in 2021. This means that in 2021 the NAVY will have 6 units of Landing Dock, 4 units with a Landing Dock function and 2 units with a BRS function.
The quality, durability and toughness of the Landing Dock production of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) has been tested. Several operating missions of the NAVY were involved in the production of the Landing Dock of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero), such as a construction operation of MV Sinar Kudus which was held hostage in Somali waters in 2012 years ago. Subsequently in 2016, KRI Banda Aceh underwent operation Jala Krida as the peak training of the Naval Academy of Seafaring Corps with the aim of Australia and New Zealand. The forging of various operating missions both inside and outside the country does not reduce the readiness and performance of the Landing Dock by the nation's children.
Along with its good quality reputation, some countries start to glance at the Landing Dock ship of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero). The reputation of the ever-growing Landing Dock of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) is attracting a lot of country interest. PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) developed a Landing Dock in various variants that are in demand by many countries. Malaysia For example, requires a Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) Landing Dock with a specification length of 163 meters. While Thailand requires a Landing Dock with a submarine tender specification, it is the ability of submarine Sanders for various needs such as logistics supply, recreational personnel, and others. Senegal, a country in the West African region also has an interest in the production Landing Dock aboard PT PAL Indonesia (Persero).
PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) has now entered the advanced step in the production of the Landing Dock ship, the Landing Dock to become the trademark and flagship product of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero). PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) became one of the main referral for the procurement of Landing Dock ship by a friend's country.
Prepared by: Department of Public Relations of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero)