Indonesian Warship KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda-367 Departs for UN
Surabaya, The Gulf Observer: The Indonesian Navy warship KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda-367 (SIM-367) has set sail from its base at the Indonesian Navy Fleet Command (Koarmada) II in Surabaya, East Java, and is en route to Jakarta. The warship is preparing for its significant role in the TNI Garuda Contingent (Konga) XXVIII-P UNIFIL Maritime Task Force (MTF) peacekeeping mission under the United Nations in Lebanon.
The vessel is scheduled to depart for Beirut in the third week of December 2024, continuing the peacekeeping duties of the TNI Konga XXVIII-O UNIFIL MTF Task Force, whose term ends in early January 2025.
Mission Send-off Ceremony
On December 12, 2024, a formal send-off ceremony was held at the Madura Pier, East Java, where the Chief of Staff of Koarmada II, Commodore Isswarto, representing the Commander of Koarmada II, Rear Admiral Ariantyo Condrowibowo, bid farewell to the task force members.
“This ship will carry out a peace mission for 365 days as part of UNIFIL—a multinational mission aimed at maintaining security and stability in the region,” remarked Colonel Widyo Sasongko, Head of the Information Service of Koarmada II.
Strategic Route to Beirut
After departing from Jakarta, KRI SIM-367 will make a brief stop in Batam before navigating through international waters. The strategic voyage includes port calls at Colombo, Sri Lanka, Salalah, Oman, and a critical passage through the Suez Canal at Port Said, Egypt, before reaching its final destination in Beirut, Lebanon.
A Call for Professionalism and Vigilance
The mission involves 120 Navy personnel, accompanied by an AS 565 MBe HS-1306 Panther anti-submarine helicopter. Addressing the crew, Commodore Isswarto emphasized the importance of professionalism, tolerance, and international cooperation.
“You will interact with officers from other nations, UNIFIL elements, and local communities. Uphold the values of professionalism and be vigilant to all forms of threats, particularly considering the escalation of armed conflict in Lebanon between the Israeli military and Hezbollah militia,” Isswarto stated.
Indonesia’s Role in UN Peacekeeping
Indonesia remains one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, with 1,230 personnel deployed across various units.
While the Maritime Task Force (MTF) operates at sea, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) also contribute to land-based UNIFIL units, including:
- Mechanized Battalion Task Force (INDOBATT)
- Force Headquarters Support Unit (FHQSU)
- Indo Force Protection Company (FPC) Task Force
- Civil-Military Coordination (CIMIC) Task Force
- Military Community Outreach Unit (MCOU) Task Force
- Level 2 Hospital Task Force
The KRI SIM-367 mission underscores Indonesia’s continued commitment to global peacekeeping efforts, reflecting the nation’s dedication to maintaining international stability and security through cooperation with the United Nations.
