The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing tradition of training its cadets aboard a sailing ship, and today that role belongs to the KRI Bima Suci.
The three-masted vessel measures 111.2 meters in overall length including its bowsprit, which places it among the largest sail training ships in the world.
The ship relies on sailing practices that go back centuries and carries modern navigation and communication systems. On international voyages and at maritime events, it represents Indonesia.
Replacing the KRI Dewaruci
Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, built the KRI Bima Suci, and the ship was delivered to the Indonesian Navy in 2017.
The Navy commissioned it to replace the KRI Dewaruci, a training ship that had been in service for 64 years. With the new vessel, Indonesia kept up its tradition of training naval cadets aboard a sailing ship.
The name comes from Bima Suci, a Javanese wayang story centered on Bima, one of the main figures in the Mahabharata. In the story, Bima goes in search of the sacred water of life and meets Dewa Ruci along the way. Their meeting represents Bima’s search for self-knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual understanding.
The Navy took the story as the name for its newest training ship, in line with the personal growth and wisdom expected of future naval officers.
Dimensions and Sail Area
Freire Shipyard describes the KRI Bima Suci as one of the largest sail training ships in the world.
The ship is 111.2 meters long overall including its bowsprit, and its hull is 93.24 meters long. Its beam is 13.5 meters. Three main masts carry 26 sails with a combined area of approximately 3,351 square meters, which the ship uses to harness wind power on its voyages.
Russia’s Sedov, another well-known sail training ship, has an overall length of approximately 117.5 meters and a sail area of around 4,192 square meters. Poland’s Dar Młodzieży is about 109 meters long, with a sail area of approximately 3,015 square meters.
These figures put Bima Suci among the larger vessels in its category, with the Sedov exceeding it in both length and sail area. The ship can carry up to 203 people, including crew and cadets.
A diesel engine rated at 1,290 kilowatts keeps it moving when wind conditions are not suitable for sailing.
Cadet Training Under Sail
The KRI Bima Suci serves as a floating training facility where Indonesian Navy cadets apply what they have learned in real maritime conditions. According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense, the ship’s main educational functions include training in navigation, astronomical navigation, and seamanship.
During voyages, cadets learn to read wind conditions, understand how the vessel moves, handle the sails, and coordinate with other crew members. Operating the ship as a team calls for discipline, precision, and cooperation.
On long-distance voyages, cadets practice navigation and other basic naval skills at sea. They also live aboard the ship while sailing through different waters and calling at foreign ports.
The ship pairs traditional sailing equipment with modern technology. Its facilities include navigation and communication equipment, along with video conferencing facilities that support classroom-style instruction while at sea.
This mix of hands-on sailing experience and modern maritime education prepares cadets for their future responsibilities as Indonesian Navy officers.
Overseas Voyages and Port Visits
KRI Bima Suci also represents Indonesia at international maritime events.
The ship took part in several international tall ship events in 2023, including The Tall Ships Races, and the Indonesian Navy says it received a total of 12 trophies. The awards included most spectacular arrival, best crew parade, and best-dressed ship, among others.
The ship also carries out the Navy’s Kartika Jala Krida program, an overseas training voyage for naval cadets. These voyages combine maritime training with international port visits, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic activities.
Bima Suci joined the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail in 2025, which brought together Indonesian naval cadets and cadets from other countries. The voyage included stops at Penang in Malaysia, Sattahip in Thailand, and Muara in Brunei Darussalam. At these ports, participants took part in naval academy visits, official receptions, and open-ship events.
The program gave the participating countries an opportunity to strengthen relations and introduced cadets to different maritime environments.
