KRI Teluk Weda-526, a Made in Indonesia Warship

TheIndonesia.id - The Commander of the Indonesian Navy's III Fleet Command, Rear Admiral Irvansyah, and his entourage inspected the location for the inauguration of warship KRI Teluk Weda-526 in Weda, the capital of Central Halmahera Regency, in North Maluku.

"After arriving in Weda, we and our entourage visited Weda Harbor where the KRI Teluk Weda-526 would be inaugurated, then headed to the residence of the regent of Central Halmahera on Loytegelas Hill," said Irvansyah, when contacted, Tuesday, January 4, 2021.

KRI Teluk Weda-526 is the eighth ship in the Teluk Bintuni class, a local product made by PT Bandar Abadi. KRI Teluk Weda-526 and its other sister ships are included in the landing ship category, specifically designed to transport Indonesian Navy main and heavy tanks, namely 2A4 Leopard TNI AD and Marine Corps BMP-3F amphibious tanks.

A special feature in the hull of this Bintuni Bay class warship is the presence of a "turning table" tank. The tanks weighing up to 65 tons can change position and maneuver onboard, easier to park and to unloading and loading process.

Irvansyah and his entourage arrived at PT IWIP Cekel Airport in Lellilef Village, Central Weda District, using an aircraft from the Indonesian Navy Aviation Center. Also included in the group were the Commander of the XIV/Sorong Indonesia Navy Main Base, First Admiral Imam Musani; Intelligence Assistant for the Indonesian Navy's III Fleet Command, Marine Colonel (P) M Bimo Sutopo; Operations Assistant for the Indonesian Navy's III Fleet Command, Marine Colonel (P) Endra Hartono; Commander of the Amphibious Unit of the Indonesian Navy's III Fleet Command, Marine Colonel (F) Elmondo Samuel Sianipar; and several others.

Irvansyah and his entourage were greeted by the Commander of the Ternate Navy Base, Marine Colonel (P) Ashari S Abidin, and several other leaders of the local Navy units. Then they all visited the official residence of the Regent of Central Halmahera, Edi Langakara, where the Deputy Regent of Central Halmahera, Abdul Rahim Odeyani, and some leaders of the Central Halmahera were also present.

Meanwhile, the Governor of North Maluku, KH Abdul Gani Kasuba, previously informed that the TNI Commander, General Andika Perkasa, would return to North Maluku to inaugurate KRI Teluk Weda-526.