Indonesian Navy to add new LPD-based Hospital Ship for HADR operations

The new Semarang-class LPD Hospital Ship of the Indonesian Navy, KRI Semarang (594), during sea trials. Photo c/o Instragram account of Masyhudi.

The chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto announced that another landing platform dock (LPD) vessel forthe Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) is being prepared for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations for 2019.

This would be in addition to the TNI’s current hospital ship, the Tanjung Dalpele-class KRI Dr. Soeharso (990).

Currently, Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL is constructing a new LPD, the Semarang-class based on the Philippine Navy’s Tarlac-class LPD, with the lead ship KRI Semarang (594) being fitted out as a hospital ship. The ship is expected to be completed soon.
Indonesia was hit by a volcanic eruption and tsunami that killed hundreds of people on December 2018. Indonesia is considered a disaster-prone country, and is known for being affected by natural disasters including tsunamis.



[1] Tribun News
[2] Navy Recognition
[3] News Australia