Nanggala on Maritime Security

TANGKAPAN LAYAR INSTAGRAM

Screenshot from social media containing photos of the KRI Nanggala-402 crew while in Banyuwangi.

“Prajurit Sapta Marga sejati, Hiu Kencana abadi. Demi kejayaan Nusa, rela mengorbankan jiwa. Bersemboyankan hiu kencana, tabah sampai akhir.” [A true Sapta Marga warrior (is) an eternal Hiu Kencana (golden shark), willing to sacrifice his life for the Nation\'s glory. May Hiu Kencana be forever more.”]

This is an excerpt from the lyrics of a marching song titled “Wiratama Hiu Kencana”, the pride of the Indonesian Navy’s Submarine Corps. The song offers encouragement while carrying out their duty to safeguard the archipelago\'s seas in the cold and in isolation. Their spirit never dies, and instead burns eternal.

The tragedy of the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine, which sank during a missile exercise on Wednesday (21/4/2021) in the waters of Bali waters, opened many eyes that the “black berets” always carry out their duties by wholly dedicating their body and soul.

Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto officially confirmed on Sunday (25/4) that the KRI Nanggala-402 had sunk. After a silence that lasted a few seconds, the TNI Commander added that the entire crew was lost.

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^ TNI Takes Charge of the Condition of Families of 53 Crew Members

^ Prayers Echoing for the Crew

^ Time Running Out to Rescue Crew of KRI Nanggala

"The best soldiers of the Hiu Kencana died while carrying out their duties in the waters north of Bali," he said, and that the best soldiers of the Indonesian Navy had fulfilled their service completely.

No number of words could be enough to describe the feelings of grief and pride over the patriotism of the 53 KRI Nanggala-402’s crew. If a single word must be chosen, the word they truly deserve to be pinned on them is respect.

KOMPAS/C ANTO SAPTOWALYONO

The submarine KRI Nanggala-402 approaches the Indah Kiat pier in Cilegon City, Banten, (4/4/2012)

They served the country selflessly, leaving their children, wives and families behind for their duty to the state. Petty Officer 1st Class Ede Pandu Yudha Kusuma, for example, left behind his new bride of just two months. Electronics technician Chief Petty Officer Rusdiyansyah Rahman, who served as a pumpman on the submarine, left behind a newborn. Now they are all gone, forever.

The KRI Nanggala-402, after 40 years of patrolling the Archipelago, rests on the seabed. The submarine was found split into three parts at a depth of 838 meters. KRI Nanggala and its crew will become part of this country’s historical journey on how it safeguards its seas. Furthermore, the cause of this accident must be analyzed as thoroughly as possible so it becomes a valuable lesson for strengthening the TNI’s primary weapons system in general and the Indonesian Navy in particular.

Also read:

^ Rescue Efforts Intensify for Missing 53-Crewed Nanggala

^ Time Running Out to Rescue Crew of KRI Nanggala

The message that KRI Nanggala-402 commander Lt. Col. Heri Oktavian conveyed to Kompas journalists about the importance of buying new qualified submarines needs the attention of decision-makers. In an article published on 9 Sept. 2009 in Kompas, military observers assessed that the KRI Nanggala-402 had aged amid the solid demand of its state duties. A powerful submarine is absolutely vital for a maritime country.

The Hiu Kencana patriots of the KRI Nanggala-402 have shown their devotion to the service. Their love, passion, courage, sacrifice and message to protect Mother Earth must always be remembered. Nanggala and its patriots now lie at the bottom of the sea to protect it for all time.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.