KRI Nanggala-402 42 Years Old, Observer: Normally Used 30 Years

JAKARTA - The submarine of the Indonesian Navy, KRI Nanggala 402, lost contact in Bali waters. Until now, its whereabouts are unknown. This Indonesian-owned ship is 42 years old. Many parties have questioned how to maintain or maintain the ship.

Military observer Connie Rahakundini Bakrie said the German-made U-209 diesel-electric motorized attack submarine had undoubted strength. Because of that, many countries are still using it. However, she said there was a time limit.

"Even though this type of ship is a ship with a million people, everybody uses, even people who already have Nuclear Submarines still use this ship. Because this ship is really great. But normal countries use it in 25-30 years", she said in a virtual discussion, Sunday, April 25.

Meanwhile, Connie said, the ships had been used by Indonesia for a period of time that was far from normal countries in general, namely 42 years. Even so, according to her, if the ship's maintenance was carried out properly, the old age of defense equipment would not be a problem.

"Indonesia has been so good for 40 years. But we have to wait 50-60 years before we want to change ships", she said.

Likewise, the former Head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency TNI Laksda (Purn) Soleman Ponto said that the KRI Nanggala 402, which has entered the age of 42, is not a problem as long as its maintenance is carried out properly.

The good maintenance, said Ponto, touches on checking critical spare parts. These spare parts must be replaced if there is damage.

"Usually it is well maintained, there are those called critical spare parts which are replaced when it is time to change. Don't let it not be replaced. Because in the ship there is something vital, there are also those who just join in. Such maintenance is to extend the lifetime (ship). "What we always see is critical, the others can be damaged, but this one must not be damaged", he said.

The KRI Nanggala-402 was actually overhauled in Daewoo, South Korea, in 2012. The overhaul was carried out for 24 months.

Even though it has been checked, said Ponto, maintenance after the overhaul needs to be checked. The next KRI Nanggala-402 overhaul was actually carried out in 2022.

"Within 10 years of waiting for the next overhaul, we have to see how the maintenance is in between. How to replace the critical spare parts. Whether they are replaced or not, what quality is there", he said.