Indonesia’s Submarine Play

The Diplomat ^ | January 19, 2012 | Koh Swee Lean Collin

[sukhoi-30mki]

Indonesia’s Submarine Play

Indonesia's military has signed a $1.1 billion contract for three submarines. What does that mean for the region?

The latest $ 1.1 billion contract for three Type-209/1400 diesel-electric submarines looks set to breathe new life into the Indonesian Navy (Tentera Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut or TNI-AL). It represents the third major TNI-AL purchase after the acquisition of new corvettes and landing ships since 2000 and has also been described as a move to “maintain power balance in the region,” prompting various analysts to attribute the purchase to Jakarta’s attempt to play regional submarine “catch-up.”

For more than three decades, TNI-AL operated two German-built Type-209 submarines. However, many deem them insufficient for Indonesia’s wide array of maritime security needs given its vast archipelagic expanse.

As far as the TNI-AL is concerned, the minimum required capabilities are circumscribed by the Defense Strategic Plan 2024, which called for at least 10 submarines. Even back during the early Cold War years, the TNI-AL’s fleet of Soviet-supplied Whiskey-class submarines were barely sufficient. Assuming mandated needs for routine maintenance and training cycles, only one Type-209 boat is available at all times. This submarine force will most likely be stretched to its limits in times of crisis.

Still, the pair of submarines does offer a modicum of “fleet-in-being” deterrent against potential foes considering decades of experience gleaned by TNI-AL’s submarine crews and their familiarity with the Indonesian archipelagic environment, which will certainly be exploited to maximize the deterrent effects of this tiny force. It isn’t presumptuous to assume that the two Type-209s have already completed a major portion of their useful operational lifespan notwithstanding recent refurbishment. The new submarines may partially replace and eventually substitute the

[sukhoi-30mki]

South Korean Type-209

[An American!]

3 submarines for 1.1B? Whoa...them suckers are expensive and I thought fighter jets were pricey

[sukhoi-30mki]

That’s not a very expensive figure since it involves transfer of technology to build two of the vessels in Indonesia, which has not done it before.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/01/20/navy-expects-new-submarine-2015.html

India signed up for 6 French subs for approximately 3.5b USD. So the Indonesian deal is cheaper though the French vessel is a more newer design.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorp%C3%A8ne_class_submarine