Banyuwangi Produces Tank Boat, First in the World

Banyuwangi, East Java,, MINA — The shipbuilding company in Banyuwangi, East Java, is producing a tank boat, the first type produced in the world.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu , accompanied by District Head of Banyuwangi Abdullah Azwar Anas, inspected the process of producing tank boat, and officially commissioned the prototype of the warship christened “Antasena” in this East Java`s coastal city

The Antasena is the process of production by PT Lundin, a producer of high technology ships, based in Banyuwangi, in cooperation with PT Pindad Indonesia and CMI Defense, a Belgium defense industry.

Many orders have been received for the ships from abroad, Antara News reported, citing the Minister in a written statement issued by the Banyuwangi district administration.

The tank boat is special as it could operate in the open sea as well as in narrow waters such as swamp area, river and beach areas. Ship with those specifications have not yet produced in any other country, the minister said.

He said the program for the production of the tank boats began a year earlier.

To be used in river and swampy areas

The shipbuilding industry in Banyuwangi in cooperation with PT Pindad has had experience in the manufacturing of high technology ships, he said, adding , orders for its product have been received from the military of many countries even the Russian military.

He said construction of the tank boat is expected to be completed next year and it is to be used in areas having many rivers and swampy areas such as in Kalimantan and Papua.

Chief Executive of PT Pindad Abraham Mose said the company cooperates with the Banyuwangi shipyard on recommendation of the Defense Ministry.

The Banyuwangi Shipbuilding Industry is building the ship and Pindad is producing the canons Abraham said.

The tank boat is equipped with caliber 105 MM canons, he said.

Director of PT Lundin Liza Lundin said the tank boat is produced with double hulls.

“This is a tank in the form of boat, a flexible war ship that could run after pirates even if they run into a narrow river that could not be entered by wider bodied patrol boat,” Liza said. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)