KRI Banda Aceh (LPD-593)

History of KRI Banda Aceh (LPD-593)

KRI Banda Aceh, with pennant designation "LPD-593", is a Landing Platform Pier (LPD) surface vessel of the modern Indonesian Navy. The Navy has a total of five ships of similar design built to Makassar-class standards. The ships are currently actively operated by Indonesia and Peru and built by local industries in their respective countries. KRI Banda Aceh was laid on 7th December 2007 and launched on 19th March 2010.

The warship was grandly commissioned on March 21, 2011, and has been active in the Indonesian fleet since this writing (2018). Her sisters include Makassar (capital ship of the class), Surabaya, Banjarmasin and a fifth as yet unnamed ship (commissioned around 2018).

The Philippines will receive two ships built to Makassar-class standards by the end of the century. The PT PAL class is being built for the Indonesian Navy. For the Peruvian Navy, which is entitled to two of the ships, the ships will be built by SIMA (also known as Pisco and Paita).

As planned, the ship will displace 7,300 tons under standard load and up to 11,400 tons under full load. The total length is 125 meters, the width is 22 meters, and the draft is 4.9 meters. The latter feature is particularly important as it enables ships to operate near shore (CtS).

The inner deck arrangement allows the ship to supply amphibious combat forces by supplying armoured fighting vehicles, logistics trucks and naval/infantry units (provided by the two LCVP landing craft carried on board). It can carry up to 40 infantry vehicles and accommodate up to 218 combat-ready soldiers. The onboard shop allows the Banda Aceh to stay at sea for up to 45 days.

This gives her the ability to prove just as useful in a humanitarian role, as some 520 personnel can take refuge on her deck if necessary.

As a landing heliport, the warship is designed to provide a helipad in her stern capable of servicing up to two Mil Mi-8/Mi-17 (or similar) medium transport/attack helicopters. In total, their hangars can accommodate five of these helicopters for amphibious assault or humanitarian missions.

Weapons for self-defense include 1 x 40mm Bofors automatic cannon in "A" position and 2 x 20mm Oerlikon automatic cannon in "B" position. Mistral "Simbad" rocket launchers were also installed.

This gives the ship some air defense capabilities, but is limited in nature, forcing it to rely on escort ships and aircraft for full defense.

Propulsion is by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) arrangement with 2 MAN B&W 8L28/32A series marine diesel engines producing 2,666 hp and driving 2 axles under the stern. It has a top speed of 16 knots in ideal conditions and a range of 10,000 nautical miles.

KRI Banda Aceh takes over the LPD role from KRI Tanjung Dalpele who is now in the hospital ship role.

Specification

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