The Terumbu Layang Campaign # 2

Battle of Ardasier Reef

The Indonesians have retained the initiative from last time and rolled a supply mission. With no forces in the theater this converts to a Troop Transport mission they must escort the LST ship safely to Ardesier Island.. Both sides rolled up four ships and no air support.

The Indonesian Task group sailing from the South West. 06:00 hours

Top down we have the KRI Nala 1,200tons Corvette 120mm DP gun, Exocet SSM, Wasp helicopter.

The  KRI 501 LST 6x 40mm AA guns, 100 troops.  

The Indonesian Flag in KRI Ahmed Yani 2,200tons Frigate 76mm DP gun, Harpoon SSM, Wasp Heli.

Out front as pickets at the top is the KRI Malahagati 1,200tons Corvette 120mm DP gun, Exocet SSMs

KRI 372 800tons patrol boat 57mm DP gun, 4xTorpedoes.

Patrolling south of Ardasier Island for Malaysia was 

RMN Nadim (Now known as "Lucky Nadim") 675tons Patrol ship 76mm DP gun, Otomat2 SSM.

RMN Lekiu 2,300tons Frigate 57mm DP gun, Exocet SSM, Super Lynx Helicopter.

20nm further south another pair of Malaysian ships are patrolling.

RMN Handalan 240tons Patrol Boat 57mm DP gun, Exocet SSM

RMH Pahang 1,800 Corvette 76mm DP gun, Super Lynx Helicopter.

The Indonesian ship out front KRI 372 manages to detect both RMH Handalan and RMH Nadin at extreme range without being pick up. 0630hrs

Thinking they were only facing two enemy ships KRI Malahagati and KRI Nala speed forward to engage firing Exocets. RMN Lekiu and RMN Handalan also return fire with Exocets. RMN Nadim fires Aspide SAMs at the two missiles aimed at her downing one the other Exocet reaches close range where Nadim manages to shoot it down with 40mm AA fire! (Lucky Nadim)

Handalan manages to deflect one of the Exocets with chaff.

The second one, unfortunately, strikes home and the small Boat catches on fire and sinks.

KRI 372 fires chaff which decoys one of the missiles aimed at her towards KRI Malahagati.

The decoyed missile misses the corvette KRI Malahagati but the other two hit home leaving her covered in a cloud of smoke. KRI 372 is also hit and stopped dead in the water.

With two ships out of action within minutes of each other the KRI Ahmed Yani shepherds the LST full of troops north. She also launched her Helicopter in an attempt to find out what she is facing. 06:45hrs

KRI Ahmed Yani then launches two longer range Harpoon SSMs at the largest blip, RMN Lekiu.

RMN Lekiu has also sent up its Helicopter.

RMN Nadim launches two Otomat2 SSMs at the already damaged KRI 372 inflicting a mortal wound.

KRI Ahmed Yani's Helicopter fires a pair of  Sea skuas ASMs at RMS Nadim. Both miss. (Lucky Nadim)

RMN Lekiu manages to decoy one of the harpoons aimed at it. It changes course towards Nadim but misses. (Lucky Nadim). The other hits causing heavy damage and bringing the ship to a dead stop.

The Malaysian force is now down to 50% effective and facing attacks from over the horizon Harpoon missiles decides to leave the area. 07:15hrs This allows the Indonesian landings to go ahead on Ardasier Reef.