Navy withdraws four warships

SURABAYA: The Navy removed on Thursday four warships from its fleet in a modest ceremony at the Eastern Fleet headquarters here.

KRI Hasanuddin-333, KRI Samadikun-341, KRI Monginsidi-343 and KRI Jayawijaya-921 were discharged after serving for 45 years or longer.

Navy Eastern Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Sosialisman lowered the flags on the vessels to mark their end of service.

The warships had been involved in a number of military operations and training exercises.

KRI Hasanuddin began operations in 1962, KRI Samadikun in 1958. KRI Monginsidi in 1957 and KRI Jayawijaya in 1945.

Sosialisman said the lengthy terms of duty of the warships reflected the discipline of Navy crews in maintaining the vessels.

He said the Navy had planned to replace the aging ships with more advanced vessels within the next few years. -- Antara