KRI Surik-645 completes cannon-fire exercise on a floating target

Tanjungpinang (ANTARA) - KRI Surik-645, a unit under the Operational Control of the Sea Security Group (Guskamla) of Koarmada I, has completed a cannon firing exercise on a floating target in the southern waters off Mantang Island, the southern Strait of Riau, Riau Islands (Kepri). Commander of KRI Surik, Lieutenant Colonel (Laut) Ditto Regina Saputra, said the exercise was carried out as part of efforts to enhance the combat capability of the soldiers, particularly the Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut). “This exercise also maintains the readiness of the ship’s weapon systems to face various potential threats at sea,” Lt Col Ditto said after leading the exercise on Saturday. He explained that before the exercise began, KRI Surik-645 first conducted a safety broadcast to secure the training area. This notification was made to ensure the surrounding area was safe from civil vessel traffic or other navigational activities so the exercise could proceed safely and in a controlled manner. Subsequently, all personnel involved took part in a briefing of LAKPA 603 serial training led by the ship’s command elements. In the activity, the training stages, safety procedures, and the mechanism for firing were explained before the lowering of the floating target for the training exercise in the designated waters. After the target was placed, KRI Surik-645 carried out tactical manoeuvres to take the best firing position. The crew then operated the 30 mm Seahawk cannon, both via the Remote Operation Console (ROC) system and manually, as well as the 12.7 mm machine gun to conduct the firing exercise toward the prepared floating target. Through coordination and accuracy of the soldiers’ shots, the training target was destroyed and sunk. “This success demonstrates combat readiness and the professionalism of the crew of KRI Surik-645 in operating the ship’s weapon systems, and stands as evidence of the Indonesian Navy’s commitment to maintaining security and sovereignty of Indonesia’s maritime areas,” he stressed.