Indonesia approves plan to acquire used submarine for interim measures
The Cakra-class submarine KRI Nanggala (402), which was lost in a fatal accident on April 2021. Photo c/o Wikipedia. |
The Indonesian Government has approved a plan for the acquisition of at least one used diesel-electric attack submarine for the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) to meet operational requirements.
The Indonesian Ministry of Finance has given the go-signal for the application of foreign loans worth up to US$600 million to finance the acquisition of used submarine from a still undisclosed country.
The project, reported by British defense media outlet Jane's, is called the Interim Readiness Submarine Class (IRSC) Programme, which will temporarily fill-in the gaps in the TNI-AL's submarine warfare capabilities left by the loss of one of its older submarines, and delays in the procurement of new submarines.
The TNI-AL was said to be looking for a submarine that displaces between 1,800 to 2,800 tons, and the number of units to be purchased could be higher than one submarine.
Currently, the TNI-AL has 4 diesel-electric attack submarines, composed of three new Nagapassa-class (DSME 1400) from South Korea, and one older Cakra-class (Type 209/1300) submarine.
A second Cakra-class submarine was lost in deadly accident in April 2021, taking with it the entire crew.
The service is currently discussing with different countries including France, Germany, South Korea and Russia for the potential acquisition of a fleet of new submarines, as the TNI-AL plans to have more than 10 submarines by the 2030s.
[1] Jane's
Indonesia approves plan to acquire used submarine for interim measures
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
on
July 16, 2021
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