VESSEL REVIEW | Dr Radjiman Wedyodiningrat – Second hospital ship in series for Indonesian Navy

The Indonesian Navy has taken delivery of the second hospital ship in a series built by local state-owned shipbuilder PAL Indonesia.

KRI Dr Radjiman Wedyodiningrat is a sister ship of KRI Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo, which was delivered to the Indonesian Navy in early 2022. The newer hospital ship honours the late physician Radjiman Wedyodiningrat, whom historians credit as one of those who helped found the Republic of Indonesia following the end of the Second World War.

As with its earlier sister, Dr Radjiman Wedyodiningrat uses the same general design as that of the Indonesian Navy's Makassar-class landing platform docks (LPDs). Modifications to allow the ship to perform the floating hospital role include the removal of all armament and the incorporation of various facilities to accommodate a maximum of 242 patients, including 159 bedridden patients, in addition to the 120 crewmembers and 66 medical personnel. The vessel otherwise retains the general dimensions of the Makassar-class ships with a length of 124 metres, a beam of 21.8 metres, and a displacement of around 7,290 tonnes.

Two 5,420kW main engines propel the hospital ship to a speed of around 18 knots, though acceptance tests showed that the vessel can also reach 19.7 knots. A more economical cruising speed of 12 knots will yield a range of 10,000 nautical miles or a maximum endurance of 30 days. This capability ensures sustained sea-based medical support for deployed Indonesian forces as well as civilians in need in the more remote areas of the country.

The medical facilities consist of emergency rooms, in-patient rooms, isolation areas, radiology rooms, delivery rooms, operating rooms, clinics, blood banks, and an intensive care unit. Despite its primary function as a hospital ship, the vessel still retains some of the extensive vehicle transport capability of the Makassar-class LPDs. Vehicles that can be embarked include an ambulance boat, two vehicle and personnel landing craft (LCVPs), rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), and up to three 11-tonne utility helicopters. There is also onboard space for transporting four ambulances, three mobile hospitals, and a mobile X-ray for deployment in remote areas that otherwise do not enjoy access to standard hospital faciltiies.

The ship will also have secondary functions including command and control (C&C), search and rescue (SAR), and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). When used in the HADR role, the onboard spaces can house up to 200 evacuees.

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