Targeting To Have 12 Units, KSAL: Procurement Of Submarines Is A Priority For The Indonesian Navy

Illustration. The Alugoro submarine made by PT PAL for trials in the Bali Strait can be seen from Banyuwangi, East Java, Tuesday, January 21, 2020. (ANTARA-Budi C S)

JAKARTA - Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali said the procurement of submarines was still a priority to build the strength of the Indonesian Navy.

KSAL said this was either in fulfilling the essential force/MEF minimum or the minimum main force and projected posture in 2025-2045.

"We have indeed calculated the ideal plan for 12 (submarines) upstream. We are also considering the readiness of the government's budget," he said when met after the Indonesian Navy's Sarasehan event at Samudera Hall, Jakarta, Monday, October 2, was confiscated by Antara.

According to him, currently the Indonesian Navy has four submarines strengthened, while the target is as outlined in the MEF until the end of 2024, there are 12 submarines.

"However, at this time we will support maybe the closest one is just a few submarines, maybe there are less than five in number. Currently there are four," he said.

The four submarines that are currently strengthening the Indonesian Navy, namely KRI Cakra-401, KRI Nagapasa-403, KRI Ardadedali-404, and KRI Alugoro-405, respectively.

Apart from KRI Cakra-401, the other three submarines are the result of the cooperation between the Indonesian and South Korean defense industries.

KRI Alugoro was also the only submarine belonging to the Indonesian Navy assembled at the PT PAL shipyard, Surabaya, East Java, while the KRI Nagapasa and KRI Ardadedali were made entirely in South Korea.

KRI Cakra, which is the "cloud" of the KRI Nanggala-402, is a German-made assault submarine that has been operating since 1981.

In an effort to meet the submarine's needs, Kasal also visited several countries in Europe, one of which was Germany, to see firsthand the development of submarine technology.

Admiral Ali on September 25, 2023 visited the submarineyard in Kiel, Germany, and saw the submarines made by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH, Germany, types 212 and 214.

However, Admiral Ali emphasized that the procurement of submarines is under the authority of the Ministry of Defense.

"However, we will propose which submarines are suitable for Indonesian waters," he said.

Meanwhile, for the projection of the strength of the Indonesian Navy in 2025-2045, the KSAL assessed that the procurement of submarines would also remain a priority.