Indonesian Navy to Send Aviators for Anti-Submarine Warfare Training in India

09 Oktober 2018

Indonesia will dispatch an initial cohort of three naval aviators for anti-submarine warfare training in India. The training is being conducted as part of efforts to bolster the country's embarked rotary-wing anti-submarine capabilities (photo : Pamorpersada2000)

The Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) is preparing to send an initial batch of three naval aviators to Kochi, India where they will undergo training at the Indian Navy's Anti-Submarine Warfare School.

The training is part of the TNI-AL's effort to re-establish an anti-submarine warfare (ASW)-specific rotary-wing formation known as the Skadron Udara 100, a TNI-AL official confirmed with Jane's on 5 October. It will take place over a period of three months.

"We usually send surface-ship naval personnel for such courses. But this is the first time we're sending naval aviators, as we are trying to develop skill sets in this domain urgently", said the official.

Airbus AS565MBe helicopter (photo : Indonesian Military)

"Besides receiving instruction in ASW theories and operations, the aviators have also been tasked to develop a curriculum that will be taught at the Juanda naval aviation base [near Surabaya]", he added.

Upon returning to Indonesia at the end of the three-month programme, the aviators will assume duties alongside the TNI-AL's newly acquired AS565 MBe Panther helicopters.

Indonesia has ordered 11 new Panther helicopters to bolster the TNI-AL's embarked aviation and ASW capabilities. Two of these have been commissioned. The rest of the airframes are in various stages of completion, some of which are fitting out at the Bandung factory of Indonesia's state-owned aircraft manufacturer, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI).

The helicopters' suite of ASW sensors include the L3 Ocean Systems DS-100 HELRAS dipping sonar, a lightweight torpedo launching system, and a lightweight operator console. 

(Jane's)