IMDEX 2019: Indonesia to reinstate missile capabilities on KCR-60M fast attack craft

Two KCR-60M vessels, KRI Tombak and KRI Halasan , at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base for the 2019 IMDEX exhibition. (IHS Markit/Ridzwan Rahmat)

Slightly more than a year after removing missile launchers from two of its KCR-60M fast attack craft (FAC), the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) is now working to reinstate the capability on these vessels.

The matter has been confirmed with Jane’s by a senior crew member of KRI Tombak (629), which was berthed at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base for the 2019 IMDEX exhibition, which was held in Singapore from 14 to 16 May. Tombak is one of the two KCR-60M vessels taking part in the event, with the other being KRI Halasan (630).

Beginning in late 2017, Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL removed diagonally mounted missile launchers on Tombak and first-of-class KRI Sampari (628) as part of efforts to reconstitute the class.

The vessels were subsequently installed with the Chinese-made Type 630 close-in weapon system (CIWS) turret on a pedestal at the stern position where a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) used to be positioned.

The Type 630 CIWS turret seen in the aft section of KRI Tombak (629). (IHS Markit/Ridzwan Rahmat)

Type 630 CIWS set-up on Sampari and Tombak includes the Type 347G ‘Rice Bowl’ short-range fire-control radar and its associated fire-control console, and the SR47B air-and-surface search and gun-target indication radar, which has been integrated with an identification friend-or-foe system.

In response to requests for clarification from Jane’s , a PT PAL official who first informed Jane’s of the reconstitution confirmed that Tombak