The Indonesian Navy will procure a new training ship to replace the aging KRI Dewaruci, according to navy chief of staff Admiral Agus Suhartono.
Suhartono said that the KRI Dewaruci was already too old, and the navy has prepared a regeneration plan for the procurement of a new training ship.
The replacement of Dewaruci, including a budget request of $50m to buy the vessel, will be proposed to government soon according to the navy chief.
The new 105m-long training ship will have better specifications than its predecessor, which includes four main masts and accommodation for at least 100 naval cadets, according to the Antara news agency.
Agus Suhartono said the new training ship would arrive in Indonesia in the next two years.
“KRI Dewaruci will only be used for domestic operations, and its successor for overseas visits,” he said.
“If the government gives a green light, we will invite training ship building countries to take part in a tender for the procurement.”
The 58.30m-long, 9.50m-wide KRI Dewaruci has three main masts with 16 sails, and a cruising speed of 10.5kt.
