Indonesia to inspect Pohang-class corvettes to be donated by South Korea

 

Pohang-class corvettes of the ROKN. Photo c/o Naval News.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) will start preparations to conduct an inspection of former Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) corvettes that are being planned for donation.

TNI-AL Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Yudo Margono confirmed that the South Korean Government has offered to donate up to 3 Pohang-class corvettes to the TNI-AL, and these will undergo inspections by the MOD and TNI-AL to see the conditions of the ships.

As instructed by the Indonesian MOD, the TNI-AL will lead the assessment of the ships to see whether they are suitable to accept or not.

Among those to be assessed are the ship’s age, overall condition and estimated remaining lifespan, costs to repair and replace parts, and how to integrate the ship’s subsystems into their current system.

The Republic of Korea Navy retired several of its Pohang--class corvettes, which have been in service for more than 30 years, and are being replaced with new-generation frigates under its FFX Program.

Aside from Indonesia, other Southeast Asian countries that received or receiving donated Pohang-class corvettes from South Korea are Vietnam and the Philippines.

Admiral Margono also confirmed that he had an online meeting with the ROKN’s Chief Admiral Kim Jung-soo on 19 January 2022, and has expressed his thanks on the South Korean Government’s planned donation to help in strengthening the TNI-AL’s capabilities.

The meeting also discussed the plans to inspect the ships in South Korea, and on cooperation between the two navies including conducting exercises, training, and other fields of operation and technology including submarine technology.




[1] Tribun News
[2] iNews
[3] Naval News