RI, S. Korea discuss submarine technology transfer

The Indonesian and South Korean governments are still discussing the mechanism for transferring technology in the procurement of three new submarines for the Indonesian Navy.

“The procurement process has been completed in terms of deciding the producers and contract,” Deputy Defense Minister Let. Gen. (ret.) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said in Bandung on Tuesday as quoted by Antara news agency.

He said that there was a provision for technology-transfer mechanisms in the contract from the beginning of the procurement process.

The Indonesian government have sent about 50 technicians to observe the production of the submarines in South Korea.

The technicians were expected to engage in the technical matters of the submarines’ manufacture, Sjafrie said.

He added that during the time the two submarines were being built, the Indonesian government would also build a shipyard.

“The manufacture of the third submarine can take place in Indonesia by Indonesian technicians,” Sjafrie said. (drs)