Does anybody know if Indonesia has any plans for future surface combatants to replace their frigates? Their most capable vessels still seem to be the Ahmed Yani frigates the old Van Speijk/Leander class vessels which are pretty ancient and must be painful to keep operational and much of their fleet seems little more than scrap value. I know they’re building OPV’s but what plans for the frigates? If they ever had to mix it with an ANZAC MEKO frigate or Arleigh Burke they’d last about 30 seconds with the fleet they currently have.
By: Turbinia - 29th May 2006 at 16:08
Thanks for the info, so the navy is following their army and air force in turning to lower cost suppliers from China and the former Soviet bloc, probably a good decision as they can get high quality equipment at a lower cost and they really don’t need the more esoteric capabilities of US equipment. The main role of their Navy is to assist with domestic security/counter insurgency warfare, provide a amphibious capability for their archipelago and coastguard duties so they really don’t need modern air warfare frigates and destroyers, although I’d imagine a small group of higher capability surface combatants for sea denial would be sensible. Which leads me to question why they keep so many warships on their active list which are in no way capable of performing a combat role against modern naval opposition, yet have operating costs and crewing requirements that make their retention for Coastguard and counter insurgency duties a waste of money and resources.
By: Unicorn - 27th May 2006 at 11:44
There has been some indications that Indonesia might be interested in Chinese frigates.
While the ships on offer are not the equal of modern Western frigates, they come at a remarkably lower price by comparison.
The Indonesian archipelago is so large that quantity has a quality all of its own, and numbers are still important.
Apparently discussions are at an early stage and far from an announcement.
Unicorn
By: Canpark - 26th May 2006 at 17:40
I found these on AF forum.
Indonesia Refurbishes Their U-Boats
April 14, 2006: Indonesia wanted to expand its submarines force, and replace two thirty year old German subs. But their was no money. New subs cost over half a billion dollars each, although Russia was offering better prices on new Kilos. But Indonesia had a bad experience with Russian subs back in the 1960s. The two German type U209 boats they bought in the 1980s had proved sturdy and effective. But they are old boats. So Indonesia made a deal with South Korea, which also operates German subs, to refurbish their two boats. The first one took two years, but in addition to replacing worn parts and checking for any hidden damage, lots of new navigation and weapons systems were installed. The two German boats will thus be good for at least another ten years. By then, the navy hopes to get the money for new subs, or used boats of recent vintage.South Korea was eager to get the business, as South Korean shipyards are building more warships, including subs. Doing the Indonesian refurbs at a favorable price is expected to make South Korea a leading contender to supply Indonesia with new boats in the future. Meanwhile, Russia is trying to sell diesel-electric boats to Indonesia, and is offering the possibility of financing and low prices. But after using German boats for so long, the Indonesians will need to be convinced that Russian subs can compete.
Copyright 2006 Financial Times Information
Global News Wire – Asia Africa Intelligence Wire
Copyright 2006 Antara – The Indonesian National News Agency Source: Financial Times Information Limited – Asia Intelligence Wire
Antara – The Indonesian National News Agency
April 21, 2006 FridayRI NAVY TO ACQUIRE SEVERAL SUBMARINES
from ANTARA, The Indonesian National News Agency Surabaya (East Java), April 21 (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Navy is planning to acquire several submarines by 2009 to strengthen its regional fleets, a spokesman said
“At least up to 2009, we will receive more submarines but we don’t know the exact number yet,” Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Slamet Soebijanto said here on Friday
Soebijanto was at Surabaya’s Ujung Naval Base to welcome the return of Indonesian submarine KRI Cakra-401 after undergoing a repair in South Korea
He said the Navy had set a target to have 16 submarines to strengthen its fleets. Indonesia, two-thirds of whose territory consists of water, needed at least 12 submarines, he said
“Submarines have strategic position in the Navy. We plan to increase their number, but it depends on the budget availibility,” Slamet Soebijanto said
Submarine Cakra-401, which was made in West Germany in 1978-1981, has been overhauled for 22 months in Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, Ockpo, South Korea. The repair cost around US$60 million
The 1,300 DWT submarine left from South Korea on board of MV Swift on May 19, 2004. The submarine is 59.57 meter long and 11.34 meter high with a diameter of 6.2 meters
The Cakra submarine overhaul included repairs in her body construction, communication equipment, and weaponry control system
“The submarine is now around 80 percent in good condition. Another submarine Nenggala 402 will soon be sent to South Korea for similar repair. But, we are still waiting for the budget availability,” said the admiral After the overhaul, Submarine KRI Cakra has capability of reaching 300-meter deep below the sea surface
The Indonesian Navy sent its submarine to South Korea, instead of Germany, because geographically South Korea is closer and it has good technological capability in submarine repairs
“Besides, South Korea also has submarines of the same type with ours,” the admiral said
By: Canpark - 26th May 2006 at 17:04
Indigenous hovercraft.
By: Canpark - 26th May 2006 at 16:59
The last time I’ve checked the Indonesians want to develop its own missile system.
Indonesia, China To Cooperate on Missiles: Report
Indonesia will sign a cooperation agreement with China to develop missiles, a media report quoted Research and Technology Minister Kusmayanto Kadiman as saying May 18.An agreement was due to be signed during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s China visit in June or July along with other agreements on trade and investment, he reportedly told the Republika daily.
The rockets, Kadiman said, would have diameters ranging from 150 to 250 millimeters and a range of between 15 and 30 kilometers.
“We are a maritime country, so our state defense should start from there,” Kadiman was quoted as saying. “Long-range missiles, for example, can be launched from small islands or from ships.”
He said under the agreement China would provide missiles for Indonesian scientists to dismantle and study, so that by the end of the cooperation term Indonesia could produce its own missiles.
The report gave no further details, and the ministry of research and technology declined immediate comment.
Indonesia is one of the world’s largest archipelagos, with more than 17,700 islands.
Sign In
May 26, 2006 at 4:43 pm