Jakarta, May 11 -- Indonesia's navy said on Monday the entire crew of the KRI Canopus-936 hydrographic vessel had completed seven months of training in several European countries before operating the ship in Indonesian waters.

Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Ali said the training was designed to strengthen personnel expertise in navigation, hydrography and maritime mapping as Indonesia expands its naval surveying and underwater capabilities.

"They underwent training in Germany and previously also studied in France and several other countries, including Indonesia, as we already have a hydrography school," Ali told reporters in Jakarta.

Ali said all 93 crew members received both classroom instruction and practical operational training during...