The Indonesian Navy successfully fired an MM-40 B3 Exocet missile from the KRI R.E. Martadinata (KRI REM)-331 warship and destroyed a land strategic target located on Gundul Island, Karimun Islands, Java, on Tuesday (10/12). This shooting is a series of special weapon firing exercises which are activities in the Joint Sea Operations Exercise (Latopslagab) II in 2024.
Starting with the title of the Latopslagab II task force led by Rear Admiral TNI Ariantyo Condrowibowo at Mako Koarmada II, on Sunday (09/12), then all the exercisers moved to the training area. Latopslagab itself is the peak agenda of the 2024 Indonesian Fleet Anniversary Commemoration.
This firing exercise activity was led by the Chief of Naval Staff (Kasal) Admiral TNI Dr. Muhammad Ali who was onboard on board the KRI headquarters ship dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat (KRI RJW)-992, where Kasal gave direct orders for the implementation of the Exocet missile firing.
In this shooting, the Exocet MM-40 B3 missile launched from the KRI REM-331 as the main gunner ship succeeded precisely in hitting the enemy’s strategic target on land (Bendul Island) which was 66.6 km away from the gunner’s element. In addition to the firing of Exocet missiles, the firing of RM 70 Grad TNI Marine Grad rockets was also carried out from the deck of the KRI Amboina Bay (KRI ABN-503).
Kasal expressed his appreciation for the implementation of the entire series of TNI Navy special weapon shooting activities in the waters of Gundul Island in a safe and successful state. “Bravo Zulu for all Jalasena Soldiers involved, hopefully they will be more professional and have high combat capabilities, continue to raise the flag of duty,” concluded Kasal.
Kasal Operations Assistant (Asops) Admiral TNI Yayan Sofiyan further said that this Latopslagb is a follow-up to Kasal’s order to test all missile capabilities. The exercise began with a target survey by the survey team to meet the missile firing data input needed for the missile to hit the target perfectly.
The shooting activity involved around 2,000 soldiers and equipment involved, among others, the main element of the KRI REM-331 missile shooter, the reserve element of the missile shooter, namely KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (KRI GNR-332) and security elements including KRI Abdul Halim Perdanakusuma (KRI AHP-355), KRI Frans Kaisiepo (KRI FKO-368), KRI Sultan Hasanuddin (KRI SHN-366), KRI Mandau (KRI MDU-621), KRI Layang (KRI LYG-635), KRI Ajak (KRI AJK-653), KRI Sampari (KRI SPR-628), KRI Teluk Banten (KRI TBT-516) and elements of the KRI RJW-992 Headquarters Ship. The shooting exercise also involved equipment from the Indonesian Navy Marines, namely RM 70 Grad and air elements including 4 Panther Helicopters, CN-235 Aircraft, Scan Eagle, S-100 Camcopter, Drone Bomber.
This Latopslagab is a manifestation of the TNI AL’s commitment to maintaining state sovereignty and ensuring operational readiness on various fronts, where this exercise is one of the efforts to increase the readiness of the TNI Navy in supporting the main tasks of national defense.
Also present to witness the shooting were the Main Officials of the Headquarters, the Commander of the Indonesian Navy, officials within the Ministry of Defense, Waka BRIN Admiral TNI (Ret.) Prof. Dr. Ir. Amarulla Octavian along with staff and Members of Commission I of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia.