Article Posted on : - Apr 27, 2011

The 40-meter-long ship ‘KRI Clurit’. A file photo.

BATAM (PTI): Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro here launched the "KRI Clurit", a 40-meter-long ship made in Indonesia to be used to help secure the country`s waters in the western region.

"I hereby officially launch The KRI Clurit," the minister said Monday at a ceremony at the Batu Ampar cargo port in Batam, Riau Islands province.

The minister said the KRI Clurit was a swift missile-carrying ship designed and built fully by Indonesians at PT Palindo Marine here.

"With it, Indonesia has started to have the capability to safeguard its seas with self-made ships. We no longer need handouts," he said.

The launching of KRI Clurit-40 was the answer to the question on the responsibility for safeguarding Indonesia`s territorial waters which are rich in natural resources.

He said many sea passages in Indonesia`s territorial waters were also international trade lanes.

"This event is a milestone in the country`s journey to defense industry self-reliance," he said.

He said production of main defence equipment would not stop with the KRI Clurit`s making. He said the government would continue to provide the National Defense Forces (TNI) with more ships.

He said a submarine and a destroyer made in Indonesia would be the next additions to the Indonesian navy`s fleet.

Yusgiantoro said the navy needed strong ships that can also secure Indonesia`s territorial waters in remote areas.

TNI Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono meanwhile said on the occasion that the navy had ordered two KCR-40s and would order 20 more of different types.

The KRC-40 would operate in Indonesia`s western waters which are geographically dotted by small islands and divided by straits.

The KRI Clurit was named after a Madurese dagger.

Clurit has a form of a question mark believed to reflect the character of Madurese people who will never be satisfied with what they have and their tenacity.