The Indonesian Navy carried out a live-fire exercise in the Java Sea, combining anti-ship missiles, airstrikes with F-16 fighter jets and naval artillery fire.
The Indonesian Navy conducted a major combat exercise in the Java Sea on April 23, 2026, including a sinking exercise, known as SINKEX, against the former ship ex-KRI Teluk Hading, an LST-type vessel originally linked to the former East Germany.
The operation was part of Latopslagab, a live-fire exercise conducted by the TNI AL with the participation of naval and air assets. According to the Indonesian Navy, the activity demonstrated the readiness of the country’s armed forces to face modern warfare scenarios, with a high level of integration between maritime platforms and combat aircraft.
In total, the exercise involved 20 KRI ships from the Indonesian Navy and F-16 fighter jets from the Indonesian Air Force. The target, the former KRI Teluk Hading, was destroyed in the waters of Karimun Java during a coordinated action.
LATOPSLATGAB KARANG WELANG 2026 pic.twitter.com/Dh421PhgYl
— TNI Angkatan Laut (@_TNIAL_) April 26, 2026
Combined strike with missiles, fighter jets and artillery
The first phase of the activity included the launch of Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles by Indonesian Navy units. The second phase then involved an air-sea operation, with three F-16 fighter jets dropping MK-12 bombs on the target.
In addition to the strike against the former LST, the Navy also carried out high-precision naval artillery fire against land targets located on Gundul Island. According to the TNI AL, the firing demonstrated the ability of surface assets to carry out coordinated attacks against land objectives.
Show of force and deterrence
The exercise was observed by Indonesia’s defense minister, retired General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, the commander of the TNI, General Agus Subiyanto, and other military authorities from the country. They praised the professionalism of the troops and the readiness of the defense equipment used in the activity.
According to Indonesian authorities, the exercise was not only intended to test technical capabilities, but also served as a real demonstration of force and interoperability between the Navy and the Air Force.
The activity was also presented as a deterrence measure against potential threats to Indonesia’s sovereignty, in a regional context in which rapid response capability and integration between forces are becoming increasingly important.
This was the first sinking exercise carried out by the Indonesian Navy since May 2024.
Source and images: Indonesian National Armed Forces Navy. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
