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Buying new submarines: France vs. Germany
As the Indonesia Navy considers its options for expanding its submarine fleet in view of potential purchases from either France or Germany, it needs to consider issues related to training, maintenance and interoperability as well as costs, not least safety costs regarding our sailors.
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Sea change: Navy submarine KRI Ardadedali-404 arrives at Ranai naval base in Natuna, Riau Islands, on April 4, 2021. Indonesia plans to buy two new Scorpene-class submarines from France. (Antara/Teguh Prihatna)
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n Tuesday, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated on his official X account that state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia would build the two Scorpène-class submarines Jakarta had ordered. His remarks were confirmed in an article in defense intelligence media agency Janes, which said Indonesia had started negotiations to procure the French submarines.
Strengthening Indonesia's defense weaponry and systems is justified due to the geopolitical uncertainties in the region, particularly the South China Sea. Although Indonesia is not a claimant state in the long-standing territorial dispute, it must protect its maritime sovereignty, as the North Natuna Sea abuts the South China Sea.
Indeed, a submarine is crucial piece of defense equipment in this matter. Submarines play an important role in state defense due to its high deterrence capability. Modern submarines can also be used to gather intelligence, such as hydro-oceanographic data.
The Indonesian Navy currently operates four submarines: one Cakra-class submarine, the German-made KRI Cakra (401), and three Jang Bogo-class submarines developed in cooperation with the Republic of Korea, KRI Nagapasa (403), KRI Ardadedali (404) and KRI Alugoro (405).
However, this fleet is far from sufficient. Indonesia once possessed 12 Whiskey-class submarines produced by the Soviet Union, and due to its submarine fleet, the Indonesian Navy earned high respect from its neighbors in the Asia-Pacific. All the Whiskey-class submarines have been retired, and one of them, KRI Pasoepati (410), is on exhibit in Surabaya.
Indonesia had originally planned to buy three Kilo-class submarines from Russia, but then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono dropped this plan and instead turned to South Korea to purchase the three Jang Bogo-class submarines (German Type 209).
The country has yet to buy a new submarine since acquiring the Korean submarines, with the complexity of the negotiation process and budget constraints believed to be the main reasons for this.
