Indonesian Navy Commissions New Hospital Ship

PT PAL Indonesia expanded Indonesian Navy’s medical care capabilities with the completion of the construction of the second hospital ship in early 2023. Kaharuddin Djenod, CEO of PT PAL Indonesia, officially handed over Dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat to Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of the Indonesian Navy.

“The construction of the second hospital ship has now reached 100% completion. The ship’s entire construction has been completed, its propulsion system and medical facilities have been installed. This hospital ship has met the criterias, including achieving a maximum speed when fully loaded, namely an average of 18.3 knots, exceeding the target of 18 knots and even reaching a top speed of 19.7 knots." - Kaharuddin Djenod, CEO of PT PAL Indonesia

KRI Dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat has passed several acceptance tests after the completion of the construction, including the Harbor Acceptance Test (HAT) and the Sea Acceptance Test (SAT). It culminated in a satisfactory inspection by the ranks of High Officers in the Commodore Inspection activity in December 2022, which demonstrates the Hospital Ship’s readiness to carry out operational duties and functions.

“This hospital ship is extremely valuable. It’s useful in providing medical care services during peace and war time, especially in the event of a disaster. This has been demonstrated several times, when the hospital ships were operated when a disaster struck.”

Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of the Indonesian Navy

Indonesia is an archipelagic country located on the world’s ring of fire, combined with a large population, necessitates the availability of healthcare facilities. With the presence of the KRI Dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992, which is specifically designed to reach all regions in Indonesia, one of the solutions for fulfilling domestic health facilities can be found.

KRI Dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat is the sister ship of the KRI Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo, which was handed over in January 2022, and affiliated with the Koarmada III unit. Both ships have similar health facility specifications and are equivalent to a Type C Hospital or a Regional General Hospital on land.

“Capability and facilities are equivalent to this type C Plus hospital, have the same operating capabilities, and there are additional features that type C Plus hospitals in general do not have, namely the CT Scan, X-Ray, to the isolation room which is supported by a separate ventilation system and air pressure controller so that it can support handling outbreaks of infectious diseases, as well as mass evacuations to prevent further outbreaks,” said the CEO of PT PAL Indonesia.

This hospital ship can accommodate 12 different types of operations and is supported by two Ambulance Boats, two LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel), and one RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat. This 124-meter-long ship is outfitted with qualified health facilities such as an emergency room, inpatient and isolation rooms, radiology room, delivery room and baby room, clinic/poly, laboratory, blood bank, operating room, ICU and HCU, and can carry three helicopters with MTOWs of 11 tonnes each.

The handover ceremony was held at Bandar Barat Pier, Commercial Ship Division, PT PAL Indonesia, and was led by Admiral Muhammad Ali. The event was also attended by the Indonesian Parliament’s Commission as well as key officials from the Indonesian Navy Headquarters, the Ministers, as well as the Directors of PT PAL Indonesia. The KRI Dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat has been handed over and is now ready to be tasked with strengthening the auxiliary ship unit Koarmada I (Fleet Command-I, one of the main commands of the Indonesian Fleet).