KSAL Releases KRI Bima Suci for 124-Day Voyage to 8 Countries
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL), Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali, released the departure of the Republic of Indonesia Ship (KRI) Bima Suci at the Military Sea Transportation Command (Kolinlamil) Pier, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
This is the Kartika Jala Krida (KJK) 2026 sailing diplomacy mission, covering a distance of 16,877 Nautical Miles (NM) over 124 days, and will make stops at eight friendly countries.
A total of 79 cadets from the Naval Academy (AAL), along with accompanying officers and the KRI Bima Suci crew, as well as 52 ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) delegates from 24 countries, both ASEAN and non-ASEAN, are participating in this voyage, bringing the total number of participants on board to 131 people.
Ali stated that this activity aims to train naval cadets from various countries in building diplomatic networks to strengthen Indonesia’s relations with friendly countries.
The cadets serve as national ambassadors by introducing Indonesian culture to the international world, while also applying the knowledge and skills acquired during their education at the AAL.
This voyage serves as a strategic forum to hone professional capabilities, expand national insights, and strengthen diplomatic relations through maritime soft power with friendly countries.
The four-star TNI AL high-ranking officer detailed that the eight friendly countries to be visited by the KRI Bima Suci include Sri Lanka, Singapore, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Russia, and Japan.
“(The KRI Bima Suci voyage also includes) in Indonesia, to several cities (such as) Bitung, Belawan, and others,” Ali revealed.
In addition, they will study navigation and astronomy during the voyage to enhance sailing capabilities.
Through this activity, Ali hopes that relations between the TNI and the participating friendly countries in the KJK will become even closer, and that the cadets will gain beneficial knowledge for the advancement of the maritime world.