Indonesia in Talks to Procure First Mini-Submarine

27 Juli 2017

Indonesia is currently in the process of acquiring its first mini-submarine. Platform may partly fulfil Indonesia’s requirement to operate a fleet of 12 submarines by 2024 (photo : Navy Recognition)

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is currently finalising a contract with Batam-based shipbuilder PT Palindo Marine for the procurement of a mini-submarine, Indonesian Navy Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) sources informed Jane’s on 26 July.

This information has since been corroborated with officials from PT Palindo, who confirmed on the same day that discussions over the contract are currently still ongoing with officials from the MoD and the TNI-AL. “Negotiations over the procurement are still ongoing as we speak,” said Mukti Syarif Rivai, a naval architect with PT Palindo, in a phone conversation with Jane’s . “We will be making an official announcement once the contract is confirmed and signed,” he added.

According to PT Palindo, the mini-submarine will be based on the concept that was first unveiled by the MoD’s research and development branch in November 2016 at the Indo Defence exhibition in Jakarta. The concept is a product of collaboration between PT Palindo Marine, the MoD, the Indonesian Co-ordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs, and two Indonesian tertiary institutions Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November (ITS) and the University of Indonesia (UI).

The concept features an overall length of 22 m, an overall beam of 3 m, and a hull draught of 2.5 m. It displaces approximately 117 tonnes when surfaced, and 127 tonnes when submerged. The submarine has a maximum operating depth of 150 m, an endurance of six days, and a top speed of 10 kt when dived. It can accommodate a crew of five, with space for up to nine additional personnel.

(Jane's)