The First Domestic Submarine Strengthens The Indonesian Navy's Alutsista

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto handed over the first domestically made submarine which was worked on at a shipyard owned by PT PAL Indonesia. (DOK. Ministry of Defense)

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto handed over the first domestically made submarine which was worked on at a shipyard owned by PT PAL Indonesia. This submarine was handed over by Prabowo to the Indonesian Navy Headquarters and Pangkoarmada II in Surabaya, East Java.

This Indonesian-made ship named Alugoro-405 is a collaborative project between PT PAL and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) South Korea.

The procurement of the Alugoro-405 Submarine is one of the defense force development programs, especially the Marine Matra. Before Alugoro-405, the Ministry of Defense also had the chance to hand over the first submarine KRI Nagapasa-403 and the second submarine KRI Ardadedali -404 built in Korea to the Indonesian Navy.

With the handover of the Alugoro-405 Submarine, Prabowo is confident that the third submarine ordered by the Ministry of Defense can strengthen the TNI Alutsista, especially in the ranks of the Indonesian Navy.

Prabowo expressed his appreciation because for the first time a domestic shipyard had succeeded in producing submarines to strengthen the naval dimension. According to him, Indonesia should have sufficient strength to safeguard its sovereignty and unity, and territorial integrity from threats from foreign nations.

"Today is a step forward for all of us to build our army in a stronger direction", Prabowo said as quoted from his written statement, Wednesday, March 17.

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto handed over the first domestically made submarine which was worked on at a shipyard owned by PT PAL Indonesia.

However, he reminded the active of the domestic defense industry to strengthen the national defense system through the development of defense equipment independently, not because they want to be seen by other countries or try to make threats against other countries.

"It's not because we want to threaten anyone. No. Many times, it has been passed down from our nation's founder, we emphasize that the Indonesian nation loves peace but loves independence more", said Prabowo.

The former Commander General Kopassus also reminded that at this time, all domestic defense industries were obliged to participate in the process of rejuvenating all-state defense equipment. Moreover, Prabowo said, Indonesia's defense equipment was classified as old and needed to be rejuvenated.

Under these conditions, the role of the defense industry in the country will be very prominent.

"We expect the participation, initiative, hard work of our technology experts, our scholars, and our experts to come together to work hard", he concluded.