State-owned shipyard PT Pal has launched the Indonesian Navy’s second Hospital Assistance Ship (BRS).
The event follows the handover of the navy’s first hospital ship, the BRS Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo, during the celebration of Indonesian Independence Month earlier this year.
The vessel was commissioned as the BRS Dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat, an Indonesian medical researcher and humanitarian who was also a founding figure of the Indonesian Republic.
The launch was hosted by President Megawati Soekarnoputri with the launch ceremony conducted by Indonesian Navy Chief Adm. Yudo Margono.
The new hospital ship will meet the requirements of Indonesia’s naval fleet for wartime missions and activities beyond the battlefield.
“For Indonesia and the Indonesian Navy, the presence of hospital ships is very important. In addition to supporting OMP (military war operations) and OMSP (non-war military operations) marine operations, for mobile health services that can reach all parts of Indonesia in the form of an archipelago,” the naval chief said.
“PT PAL appreciates the consistency of government orders, in this case, the Navy and the Ministry of Defense, to entrust the development of defense equipment to SOEs,” PT PAL Indonesia CEO Kaharuddin Djenod said.
