Jakarta is particularly interested in the Russian Varshavyanka submarines
Indonesia is considering the possibility of purchasing Russian submarines and other marine equipment. Jakarta's interest in cooperation with Moscow is growing with the modernization of the national fleet and the intensification of competition in the region. Izvestia found out what proposals the Russian industry is ready to make to the world's largest archipelago and what are the chances of new agreements.
How is military cooperation between Russia and Indonesia developing?
Our country's military cooperation with Indonesia has a long history. In the 1950s, the friendship between the two states led to the replenishment of the navy of this country with the project 68-bis cruiser Irian (formerly Ordzhonikidze), destroyers, submarines and other warships and auxiliary vessels. In addition, advanced Soviet military developments, including cruise missiles, torpedo boats and Tu-16KS missile carriers, were transferred to Indonesia.
The Su-30MK2 fighter
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti
However, after the coup in 1965 in Indonesia, military-technical cooperation came to naught, maintenance of the ships supplied and spare parts supplies stopped, and as a result, most of them were decommissioned in the first half of the 1970s. In the future, the country relied on the purchase of weapons in Western countries. It was only in the 21st century that Indonesia returned to purchasing military equipment from Russia, buying, in particular, Su-30MK-2 fighters and 3M55E Yakhont cruise missiles. The latter were installed on the frigate Oswald Siahaan.
This week, during the visit of a detachment of ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet to the port of Jakarta, Admiral Muhammad Ali, Commander of the Indonesian Navy, said that the country's fleet had been actively using Soviet technology since Soviet times — ships, planes and submarines. According to him, in the future, the leadership would like to re-acquire Russian weapons, primarily the modernized Project 636 Varshavyanka submarines.
Indeed, Russia may offer Indonesia the opportunity to purchase submarines of the 636 family capable of using torpedo and various weapons, in particular, the export version of the Club missile system.
Large oceangoing submarine of project 877 "Halibut" B-800 "Kaluga"
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Pavel Lvov
The family of submarines of projects 877 and 636 is one of the most successful Russian export weapons, widely known in the world along with T—72 tanks, Kalashnikov assault rifles and Sukhoi fighters.
Currently, Project 636 boats have been built in a series of more than 30 units, and their production continues. Ten submarines are part of the Chinese Navy, four are part of the Algerian Navy, and six are part of the Vietnamese Navy. Another 12 are in the Russian Black Sea and Pacific Fleets.
The submarine has a displacement of about 3,100 tons, reaches speeds of up to 20 knots, and has an autonomy of up to 45 days. There are six torpedo tubes on board capable of launching Kalibr missiles.
The boat itself is a proven combat system, less low-noise than its foreign counterparts, and adapted for operations in the tropical waters of the seas and oceans surrounding Indonesia. The St. Petersburg Admiralty shipyards build such boats in two to three years. And there are not many submarine manufacturers in the world: in fact, these are France, Germany, South Korea and Russia. In this regard, the statements of the Commander of the Indonesian Navy about the desire to purchase our submarines are clear.
Tugboat of project 23470 "Sergey Balk"
Image source: Photo: TASS/Karina Sapunova
Russia has something to offer Indonesia in the naval sphere besides submarines. In particular, we can talk about the corvettes of the 22800E project, which have demonstrated high strike and anti-aircraft capabilities during combat missions. The marine tugboats of the Project 23470 family, multi—purpose vessels capable of carrying out towing, rescue and supply tasks, may also be of potential interest.
How is the Indonesian Navy developing
In recent years, the Indonesian Navy has been actively developing, both through the purchase of ships abroad and through the construction of its own ships at national shipyards. The country's armed forces are undergoing a major upgrade as part of the Minimum Essential Force program.
The fleet's submarine forces include four boats. In Indonesia, submarines are traditionally named after legendary weapons.
In 2024, a contract was signed with the French company Naval Group for the construction of two Scorpen submarines in Indonesia. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026.
"Nagapasa"
Image source: Photo: Indonesian Navy
Earlier, in 2017-2021, three submarines of the DSME1400 type, an upgraded German project 209/1200, were built and commissioned into the fleet jointly with South Korea. They were named "Nagapasa", "Ardadedali" and "Alugoru". At the conclusion of the contract, the South Korean company was ahead of competitors from Germany and Russia, just the 636 project.
Among Indonesia's acquisitions, it is worth mentioning the purchase literally from the stocks of two patrol ships under construction for the Italian Navy, in fact, the multipurpose large frigates Bravijaya and Prabu Siliwangi.
The Giuseppe Garibaldi light aircraft carrier, built in 1985 and decommissioned in 2024, will also be received from Italy, and free of charge. The ship is capable of taking on board up to 16 AV-8B Harrier aircraft or up to 18 helicopters. Since you can't find Harriers with fire in the daytime, Indonesia is negotiating with Turkey to purchase TB-3 Bayraktar carrier-based drones and Akinci reconnaissance and attack drones. Two frigates of the Istanbul TF-100 type are also being built in Turkey for the Indonesian Navy. Four more ships of the English Arrowhead 140 type are being built in Indonesia, of which the lead ship Balaputradeva has already been launched. Similar ships are being built for the navies of Great Britain and Poland. At the same time, a significant part of the weapons systems and electronic equipment on the Indonesian ships will be Turkish-made.
Aircraft Carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi
Image source: Photo: Global Look Press/Francesco Militello Mirto
Other ships and support vessels are also being built. In total, the country's naval forces currently consist of four submarines, nine frigates, 26 corvettes, and a pair of ocean patrol vessels. The amphibious force fleet is also impressive, with five Makassar-class amphibious helicopter ships and 23 tank landing craft. However, most of the ship's personnel were built in the 1960s and 1990s. The Indonesian Navy consists of three fleets, the Marine Corps Command, and the Transport Command. The number of personnel is 65 thousand people.
Against the background of the rapid growth of China's naval forces, as well as the active development of the fleets of Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia, Indonesia is consistently increasing its own naval capabilities. At the same time, a significant part of the Naval and Air Force rearmament programs is financed by foreign loans.
Dmitry Boltenkov
