On 24 June 1943, CruDiv 16's flag was transferred from "Kinu" to "Kuma". Both cruisers then departed Makassar for patrols around the Dutch East Indies until 23 October. From 1 November, "Kuma" was refit in Singapore. Her No. 5 140-mm gun was removed as were her aircraft catapult and derrick. Two triple mount Type 96 25-mm AA guns were fitted. This brought the total number of "Kuma"s 25-mm AA guns to ten barrels (2x3, 2x2). Refit was completed by 12 November, and patrols/transport runs around the Dutch East Indies resumed, extending occasionally to Port Blair, Andaman Islands, Penang, Mergui, Burma through 9 January 1944.