French chopper carrier to harbor here

JAKARTA (JP): A French anti-submarine and assault helicopter carrier, the Jeanne d'Arc, is scheduled to arrive in the Tanjung Priok harbor here today for a five day call, it was announced yesterday.

The carrier, which in peacetime is the French Navy training ship, will arrive here from Singapore on its five-month cruise around the world, the French Embassy said.

On arrival, the ship's commander, Captain Bruno Sifantus, is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on North Jakarta Mayor Soeprawito, Naval Base II Chief Commodore Haryo Atmanto, and Navy Western Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Achmad Sutjipto. Capt. Sifantus will be accompanied by French Embassy Military Attache Col. Jean Rocher.

Under the command of Capt. Sifantus, the Jeanne d'Arc has a crew of 798, including 45 officers, 270 petty officers and 113 cadets. In addition, there are four officers, 33 petty officers, and seven members of the French Army aviation on board.

With an overall length of 182 meters, a width of 24 meters and an average displacement of 12,000 tons, the Jeanne d'Arc carries seven helicopters belonging to the French Navy and the French Army. The ship is equipped with six Exocet missile launchers and four 100mm gun turrets.

The Jeanne d'Arc is scheduled to continue its cruise to Cochin, India, across the Indian Ocean on Feb. 4. (08)