Prabowo urges Indonesia’s navy to acquire more LCM and LCVP landing craft

President Prabowo Subianto wants Indonesia’s navy to acquire more landing craft so aid and personnel can reach the country’s many small islands after disasters.

During a virtual limited cabinet meeting at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, Prabowo said the navy needed more landing craft mechanized vessels, known as LCMs, and landing craft for vehicles and personnel, known as LCVPs. He linked the proposal to difficulties delivering assistance to earthquake-affected areas in East Nusa Tenggara.

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Speaking for the navy, I think from now we need to order more LCVPs and LCMs. I think we need more because we have many small islands, so access can be opened.

“Speaking for the navy, I think from now we need to order more LCVPs and LCMs,” Prabowo said. “I think we need more because we have many small islands, so access can be opened.”

The discussion began after East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena requested additional vessels for disaster mitigation. Rear Admiral Joni Sudianto, commander of Naval Regional Command VII, said the command currently had two patrol boats, but both were based in Surabaya.

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At present, we at Naval Regional Command VII have two patrol boats, sir. However, both of these vessels are in Surabaya. We request at least two FPB-type patrol boats to be on standby in Kupang.

“At present, we at Naval Regional Command VII have two patrol boats, sir. However, both of these vessels are in Surabaya,” Joni said. He requested at least two FPB-type patrol boats to remain on standby in Kupang so they could be deployed quickly when assistance was needed.

Prabowo instructed his officials to record the request. “All right, please note it,” he said. The meeting focused on disaster response following the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara.

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All right, please note it.