I refer to an article on the plan of the Indonesian government to purchase the Russian submarine (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 10, p. 4).

Several points leapt to mind upon reading this article, dominating them all was why?

Any threat to Indonesia's integrity that demanded a submarine would come from where? Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines? The water is too shallow - a submarine wouldn't be able to submerge!

From Australia, I think the troop buildup in Darwin would be noticed by the passengers, businesspeople and tourists of commercial airlines in plenty of time to rattle a few sabres and get the Australian Military to stand down.

If, on the other hand, an expensive vessel is to be purchased for "flag-waving" purposes, why not something big and impressive like a rapid deployment vessel or vessels?

Huge numbers of troops could be moved around this island nation without having to rely on airstrips or helicopters. In addition, in times of natural disaster, aid, in the form of medical supplies and personnel, trucks and earthmoving equipment and communications equipment could be carried to facilitate efforts to alleviate the suffering of the population!

If there is a genuine threat to the territorial waters of Indonesia surely it comes in the form of encroaching illegal fishing boats and pirates, plus timber and subsidized fuel smugglers exiting the waters.

All of these vessels could be dealt with by a series of well-positioned navy bases servicing a fleet of patrol boats - preventing losses to the fishing industry, protecting the natural habitat, saving the environment from illegal degradation and saving the government coffers from unnecessary loss due to smuggling.

Two far more practical alternatives to a fleet of unsubmersible submarines that would at the same time benefit the country.

Clive

Jakarta

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