Indonesia’s new fast-attack trimaran combines speed and stealth

INDONESIA – The Indonesian Navy commissioned its first stealth trimaran fast attack craft, KRI Golok (688), in Surabaya on the island of Java on January 14. The ship was built by PT Lundin in Banyuwangi, on the eastern tip of Java, from fiber composite materials.
The commissioning ceremony was held at Surabaya Naval Base in East Java. The lead ship of a new class of hospital ships KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo (991),
Speaking at the ceremony, Adm. Yudo Morgono, Chief of the Indonesian Navy, said: “This type of ship is not only important to support naval operations as part of the navy’s task force and fleet, but is a tangible manifestation of the navy commitment to modernizing defense equipment in humanitarian operations.
The term “golok” refers to a cutting grip, similar to a machete, which can be used as a tool or a weapon. At the naming ceremony last August, Margono said the composite material offers high strength, light weight, excellent fatigue resistance and is virtually corrosion free. The Indonesian Navy considers the design and materials of the trimaran as a prototype for development purposes.
“With its high speed and high destructive power, it is hoped that this vessel will be able to carry out the fast missile boat tactics,” Margono said.
The ship has not yet been fitted with weapons, but is capable of mounting a gun up to 76 mm and can carry up to eight anti-ship missiles, such as the RBS 15, Naval Strike Missile, Harpoon or Exocet.
According to a video prepared by PT Lundin, the ship has significantly reduced radar, infrared, acoustic and magnetic signatures. Weapons and RHIB are concealed inside the structure or discretely shaped to maintain stealth.
PT Lundin said the composite foam and carbon fiber sandwich material – made with flame-retardant vinyl ester resin – creates a much lighter structure than steel or aluminum, the resin, but has similar properties fire resistance and ballistic protection and superior protection against underwater blast and explosions.
According to an Indonesian Navy statement, the fast attack craft has an overall length of 205 feet (62.53 meters); a beam of 52.5 feet (16 meters); a mast height of 61 feet (18.7 meters) and a current displacement of 245 tons. The ship will be heavier after installing the weapons. The trimaran can reach speeds of up to 30 knots and can cruise at 16 knots over 2,000 nautical miles. The ship and its crew of 25 will have a 40-day autonomy. Additional personnel, such as special forces or a humanitarian aid landing team, may also be carried.
The wave-piercing trimaran can cut through waves instead of riding them, maintaining higher speeds and heavier sea states. An enclosed hangar on the stern can carry a 12 meter RHIB.
The trimaran, equipped with four water jets, is well suited to Indonesian archipelagic operations. The FAC is extremely manoeuvrable, has a shallow draft, and can literally back up onto a beach – where its radar signature becomes indistinguishable from land – waiting for targets to engage.
golok is powered by four 1800 HP MAN V12 diesel engines, each connected to a Marine Jet Power 550 waterjet. speed”.