Marines train soldiers in tank gunnery

The combat vehicle exercise was held to enhance professionalism, combat capability and soldiers’ skills in operating combat vehicle weapon systems.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Navy Marine Corps staged a live-fire training exercise using tank combat vehicles at the Kostrad Subdenharrahlat facility in Cibenda, Sukabumi, West Java, on Sunday (19 July).

In an official Marine Corps press statement issued on Monday, it was explained that the exercise was held to sharpen soldiers’ abilities in operating combat vehicles.

Head of the Marine Corps Information Service, Colonel (Mar) Rana Karyana, when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta, said the exercise was conducted by soldiers of the 1st Marine Cavalry Regiment (Menkav 1 Mar).

“This combat vehicle exercise was carried out to improve professionalism, combat capability and soldiers’ skills in operating combat vehicle weapon systems,” he explained.

Beyond improving firing accuracy and combat vehicle handling skills, Rana said the activity also aimed to ensure that all of the Marine Corps’ primary defence equipment (alutsista) remained in serviceable condition.

Rana added that the entire training sequence proceeded safely, as it was carried out in accordance with established safety standards.

With this activity, Rana expressed hope that the Indonesian Navy’s soldiers’ ability to crew combat vehicles would continue to improve.