Indonesia Launches First Hybrid-Powered Warship KRI Belati-622
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali on Wednesday officially inaugurated the KRI Belati-622, a 60-meter missile fast attack craft (KCR), at Pluit Naval Base in Jakarta.
The vessel, constructed by local shipbuilder Tesco Indomaritim, is the nation’s first warship to feature a hybrid propulsion system utilizing biofuel.
“This ship is highly fuel-efficient, can operate longer, and is environmentally friendly thanks to its biodiesel capability,” Admiral Ali said during the naming ceremony.
Equipped with advanced weaponry and a SEWACO (Sensor and Weapon Command and Control system) combat management platform, the KRI Belati-622 was developed through collaboration between Indonesian defense firms and Turkish companies Havelsan, Roketsan, and Aselsan. Admiral Ali emphasized that such partnerships open new opportunities for more domestic shipbuilders to engage with international defense contractors.
The vessel is set to join the Navy’s Eastern Fleet Command (Koarmada III), which currently has fewer assets compared to the Western and Central Fleet Commands. “This ship will strengthen our Eastern Fleet, which is still lacking in numbers compared to Koarmada I and II,” Ali noted.
Tesco Indomaritim CEO Jamin Basuki hailed the launch as a milestone in Indonesia’s naval modernization efforts. “This hybrid concept is the first of its kind in the country. We’ve been researching this for nearly 10 years, and now we have a system with one propeller and two waterjets,” he explained.
He added that the ship is fitted with a heavy-duty engine capable of 30,000 operational hours before requiring a general overhaul, compared to around 9,000 hours for light-duty vessels.
Basuki expressed hope that the innovation would enhance confidence in Indonesia’s shipbuilding industry and contribute to strengthening national maritime security.
