Ships manufactured by PT PAL Indonesia are the backbone of the Indonesian Navy’s humanitarian operations to expedite aid for communities affected by floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. The strategic ships are the KRI Dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat (RJW-992) and the Landing Platform Dock (LPD) support ship, the KRI Semarang-594.
In this operation, the Indonesian Navy also deployed other strategic vessels, namely KRI Sutedi Senaputra-378, KRI dr. Soeharso (SHS-990), and KRI Teluk Gilimanuk-531. The departure of the KRI, led directly by KASAL Admiral TNI Dr. Muhammad Ali, brought humanitarian aid in the form of vital logistics and medical support.
According to the Indonesian Navy’s official website, the KRI RJW hospital ship itself is carrying eleven medical personnel, an ambulance, complete medical equipment, and a large quantity of oxygen tanks. Meanwhile, other elements of the KRI ship are carrying food, drinking water, clothing, medicine, and other vital necessities.
President Director of PT PAL Indonesia, Kaharuddin Djenod, revealed that the hospital ships KRI RJW-992 and KRI Semarang-594 were designed from the outset not only to support defense operations, but also to manage large-scale humanitarian missions.
The presence of these two ships, he said, is proof that national maritime defense technology can provide tangible benefits that are directly felt by the community. ” As these ships move to bring hope to affected communities, our role as an industry is not just to build ships, but to ensure that our work can help state institutions provide the greatest possible benefits to the community,” Kaharuddin explained.
He added that the deployment of Indonesian warships on the humanitarian mission in Sumatra reaffirms the strategic value of Indonesian maritime defense products that go beyond defense. These vessels are crucial instruments in disaster preparedness, community protection, and humanitarian support in various emergency situations.
“On behalf of PT PAL Indonesia management, I express my deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters affected by the disaster in Sumatra. We hope the presence of these ships can help expedite recovery and the distribution of aid to the community,” Kaharuddin concluded.