Marines train soldiers in tank gunnery

The Indonesian Navy’s Marine Corps held a live-fire exercise using armoured fighting vehicles (ranpur) at the Kostrad Subdenharrahlat in Cibenda, Sukabumi, West Java, on Sunday (19/7). In an official press release from the Marine Corps Public Relations Office on Monday, it was explained that the exercise was held to sharpen soldiers’ skills in operating armoured vehicles. The Head of the Marine Corps Public Relations Office, Colonel (Mar) Rana Karyana, confirmed to ANTARA in Jakarta that the exercise was carried out by soldiers of the 1st Marine Cavalry Regiment (Menkav 1 Mar). ‘This exercise with armoured vehicles is conducted to enhance professionalism, combat capability, and soldiers’ skills in operating armoured vehicle weapon systems,’ he explained. In addition to improving shooting accuracy and skills in operating armoured vehicles, Rana said the activity also aimed to ensure that all of the Marine Corps’ primary weapon systems (alutsista) are in a serviceable condition. Rana added that the entire series of exercises proceeded safely as they were conducted according to established safety standards. Through this activity, Rana expressed hope that the Navy soldiers’ ability to man combat vehicles would continue to improve.