INDONESIAN NAVY

INTRODUCTION
1.

Gentlemen! Sea covers 70% of the earth, it is the biggest origin of resources and

is therefore extremely important for countries lying along its coasts. The sea becomes all
the more important for a country like Indonesia which is basically an archipelagic state,
located between two oceans and two continents. All the Important sea-lanes between the
Pacific and the Indian Ocean pass close to Indonesia, which has a direct bearing on
commercial and naval traffic.
2.

The position of Indonesia in terms of size and location makes it a very important

state in the South East Asia.

It consists of five large provinces (Java, Sumatra,

Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya) and is made up of 13,000 strategically located
islands.

By connecting the outer points of the islands the territory of Republic of

Indonesia is 8.7 million square km. It is the 5th largest and the 4th most populated
country in the world. Due to its large EEZ Indonesia is rich in maritime resources. For the
protection of these maritime assets, its SLOCs and coastline, Indonesia has to rely on its
Navy, which has a very important role to play. Gentlemen the topic on which we shall
deliberate for the next 30 minutes is the Indonesian Navy and will be covered in the order
as flashed.
SCHEME OF PRESENTATION
3.

The scheme of presentation is as flashed:

Part 1
Aim
Indonesian Defence Forces
Maritime doctrine

Indonesian Navy
Historical Background
Development
Present Strength
Command Structure
Bases
Training
Maritime Sector and Ship Construction
Part II
Military Relations
Indonesia Pakistan Relations
Analysis
Maritime Interests
Threat Perception
Role of Indonesian Navy
Force Goals
Conclusion
Recommendations

AIM
4.

The aim of this presentation is to apprise the house about Indonesian Navy vis a

vis its role in South East Asia keeping in view the threat perception.
INDONESIAN DEFENCE FORCES

5.

Since Independence the role of Indonesian Defence Forces has been twin-fold, it

has been a national socio-political as well as a defence policy power. This role emanates
from the days of struggle for independence in 1945 to 1949, whereby the military had to
fight against Dutch occupation and to streamline the administration of liberated areas.

After independence due to lack of intellectual elite the Armed Forces were actively
involved in the civil administration.

6.

The Armed Forces of Indonesia are called TNI and comprises of the Army, Navy,

Air Force as well as police. When President Suharto came to power in 1968, the Armed
Forces were unified and placed under the Ministry of Defense and Security. Present
strength of the 3 forces is 298,000, including 230,000 in the Army, 47,000 in the Navy,
and 21,000 in the Air Force. The strength of police is around 174,000. All citizens are
required to serve two years in the armed forces as conscript.
MARITIME DOCTRINE

7.

Comprising three military services and the police, the armed forces operate

according to the doctrine of dual function as both defenders of the nation and as a
sociopolitical force in the national development. Under this doctrine, legitimizing their
performance of both military and nonmilitary missions, they have become the political
arm of the government. They have also continued to be an active force in the economic
affairs of the country. Maritime doctrine of Indonesian Navy is not defined separately
and is rather part of its military doctrine, which assigns the navy a supporting role in its
national defence policy. However based on the latest developments in the region and the
current threat perception, navy has been assigned a much wider and important role that
includes safety and security of the long coastline.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF INDONESIAN NAVY

8.

After independence in 1945 Indonesian Navy comprised primarily of ships

formerly operated by European and Australian Navies. The world's leading naval powers
did not support Indonesia's drive for independence. However the late 1950s saw the
beginning of rapprochement, especially in the field of military cooperation, between the
Soviet Union and Indonesia. For the Soviet Union that was the first experience of this
kind. So, fearing a possible negative reaction from the West and from the opposition
inside Indonesia, the USSR at first sent armaments via Poland. During 1959 four
destroyers and two submarines from the Soviet Union were commissioned in Indonesian
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Navy. Due to less criticism that was expected from the west, the Soviets decided to
supply armaments directly to Indonesia. During 1960s, arms deal with Soviet Union was
signed to supply ships, planes, helicopters, tanks, and armaments.

9.

In the aftermath of the 1965 coup, however the navy suffered a great decline and

large portion of its ships of Soviet or East European origin were quickly rendered
nonoperational owing to lack of spare parts and maintenance facilities. Its only major
replacements were 4 frigates acquired from the United States Navy in 1974.

DEVELOPMENT

10.

During late 1970s, navy embarked on an up gradation programme that was

designed to develop a balanced fleet suitable to operations in archipelagic waters.

Between 1978 to 1982, it purchased 2 type 209 Submarines from the Federal Republic of
Germany, 3 light frigates from Netherlands and 7 X FACs from the republic of Korea and
also produced numerous small coastal crafts in national shipyards. During 1980s a major
effort was undertaken to improve the navy's armament posture through the purchase of
Harpoon Missiles and the MK-46 torpedoes. At that time, the fleet comprised 4
submarines, 10 frigates, 15 large patrol craft, 7 fast attack craft, 4 minesweepers, and
numerous smaller vessels. Several large crafts, primarily of East European origin were
held in reserve status. In 1990s, no ships or major weapon systems were acquired due to
severe budgetary constraints. Overhaul of the old ships was carried out as the primary
method to retain an operational fleet.

PRESENT STRENGTH OF THE FLEET

11.

There are a total of - 47,500 active (including 1,000 Naval Air and 15,000

Marines) in the navy. The Navy plans to increase its manpower from current 47,500 to
70,000 in next five years.

SURFACE FLEET

12.

The Surface Fleet comprises of 17 Frigates, 16 Corvettes, 24 Patrol Crafts, 13

Mine Warfare vessels, 30 Amphibious vessels, 03 Survey ships and 19 Auxiliaries. As

already mentioned the surface fleet comprises old vintage ships of Dutch, West German
and American origin. However with passage of time the major ships have been fitted
with Harpoon and Exocet missiles and Mk 46 torpedoes to increase its importance as a
potent force in the region. Due to financial constraints no new combatant has been added
in the fleet over the years however due to the local construction of FACs in naval
shipyard, the Indonesian Navy possesses a considerable number of these platforms.

SUB SURFACE FLEET

13.

Indonesia is the only country in the region, which has the experience of operating

Soviet Whiskey Class submarines since 50s. During 80s the Navy acquired 2 German
built Type 209 Submarines armed with wire guided and active/passive homing torpedoes,
with a diving depth of 240 meters and endurance of 50 days. It was planned to purchase 5
refurbished Type 206 subs from the Germans, which has now been postponed
indefinitely.

NAVAL AIR ARM

14.

The navy has maintained a small air arm since 1958. The primary role of the

naval air arm is reconnaissance and coastal patrol. The Naval Air Arm Headquarters is
situated at Surabaya. It comprises of 10,000 personnel, 9 combat aircraft, 17 helicopters
and 45 other aircraft, which includes Boeing 737, Nomad and CN-235 aircraft. The
details of shipborne and land based aircraft is as flashed.

MARINE CORPS

15.

The Marine Corps comprises 15,000 personnel.

The Command Structure

comprises of 2 Regional Commands (Eastern and Western Marine Force).

Marine

Infantry Brigades HQ are stationed at Jakarta and Surabaya. A third brigade HQ is

expected to be established at Teluk Ratai. The equipment includes 30 Tanks and 60
APCs.
(Strength of the Indonesian Navy over the last 3 decades is shown on the view foil.)

COMMAND STRUCTURE

16.

Indonesian Navy comprises following commands:

Eastern Command

Surabaya 16 Bases

Western Command

Jakarta 12 Bases

Marine Corps

HQ in Jakarta

Military Sea Communication Command

(Maritime Security Agency)

Established in 1978 and its purpose is to control the 200 miles EEZ and to
maintain navigational aids.
Military Sea Lift Command (Logistics Support) controls some amphibious and
transport ships used for inter island communications and logistics support.

17.

It is planned to undertake a large-scale reorganization process to review the

Command structure of the Navy, which will include establishing an Operations

Command, Training Command, Oceanic Command and four Regional Maritime
Commands for development of maritime resources. This includes distribution of Naval
forces in three fleets under a unified command.
BASES
18.

Following are the major bases of Indonesia:

Jakarta
Surabaya
Sumatra
Calebes
East Borneo (Balik Papan)
New Guinea
Teluk Ratai (South Sumatra)

TRAINING

19.

Due to large population there is no problem of availability of manpower for the

navy, which recruits personnel on a voluntary basis. After selection cadets undergo oneyear basic training at general academy with other armed forces, followed by three years
training in their respective academies.

MARITIME SECTOR AND SHIP CONSTRUCTION

20.

There has been a growing awareness regarding the importance of the countrys

maritime potential and to that end recently Indonesian Maritime Council and Maritime
Exploration Ministry have also been formed.

21.

The naval shipyard named as P.T. PAL was established at Surabaya in 1980.

Alongwith other major facilities in Surabaya, it continued to be the navy's primary

technical training, repair, and industrial center. Now P.T. PAL has been transferred to
civilian control. Its Warship Division manufactures Fast Patrol Boats for the Navy.
There are a number of shipyards, which have Small Craft construction facilities and are

located at various Naval bases. In addition a depot ship is also being used as a floating
workshop at Surabaya Naval Base.

PART-II

MILITARY RELATIONS

22.

Indonesia has maintained close and cordial relations with its nearest neighbours

and bilateral military relationships within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and among non-ASEAN friends such as Australia and the United States. These
bilateral military ties have strengthened regional stability and reduced the external threat.
Indonesia had also received military aid from Australia, Britain, France, Netherlands, and
West Germany and participates in combined military exercises.

During early 90s,

Indonesia and Papua New Guinea signed an agreement of joint patrols on borders to
protect against illegal smuggling and illegal immigration.

23.

Indonesia has recently signed a defence cooperation agreement with India for

coordinating activities in fields of training, technical assistance and the supply of defence
equipment. These diplomatic ties will further improve the bilateral relations within the
two countries and this inclination towards India is the point of concern for Pakistan.

INDONESIA PAKISTAN RELATIONS

24.

Being a brotherly Muslim country, the people of Indonesia have affiliation for

Pakistan. During 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, Indonesia fully supported Pakistan politically
and militarily. Despite the fact that Indonesia was heading for a confrontation with UK
over the straits of Malacca it provided Pakistan with 2 Submarines and 4 Osa class
missile boats for PN and Mig19s and Mig15s for PAF. Air Marshal Asghar Khan who
visited the Indonesian President Soekarno as an envoy of President Field Marshal Ayub
Khan on 10 September 1965, appreciated this gesture of brotherhood in these words
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Whatever his weaknesses, he (President Sukarno), more than any other man I know,
made a gesture towards Pakistan that our future generations will always remember, and
even if Sukarno is forgotten by his countrymen, Pakistan will remember that when we
were in dire need Indonesia gave Pakistan the key to her arsenal.

25.

Because of the cordial relations, Pakistan and Indonesia frequently exchange

Officers for staff courses. During March 2000, The Chief Executive of Pakistan also
visited Indonesia, which provided the 2 countries an opportunity to strengthen their
political and economic relations.

ANALYSIS
MARITIME INTEREST IN SOUTH EAST ASIA
26.

South East Asia has the main sea route from the Arabian Gulf to Japan and the

United States. Through the Indian Ocean, Strait of Malacca, Sunda Strait, Lombok Strait
and the Timor Sea thousands of ships pass every year. Indonesia covers more than 2
million square kms of ocean and relies heavily on inter-island shipping, including
passenger traffic. Owing to the strategic location of Indonesia in the region and the
importance of its sea, the first priority of Indonesian Navy is to protect the 200 NM EEZ
and Sea lines of Communication. As per our analysis Indonesias posture in any regional
or global power struggle could affect the overall balance of power in the South East Asia.

THREAT PERCEPTION

27.

The naval arms race is emerging in the region. Significant changes are occurring

in the roles and structures of regional navies in south East Asia. Rather than becoming
more heavily involved in the protection of offshore resource zones and maritime law
enforcement, regional navies are focusing much more on the war fighting capabilities.
Although Indonesia has never fought a war however it had some skirmishes with
neighbouring countries. According to our analysis Beijing's territorial claims in the South
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China Sea and unsettled long maritime borders with neighbouring countries such as
Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia and Papua New Guinea poses a potential
maritime security threat to Indonesia.

The other threats perceived to be faced by

Indonesia are:

a.

Smuggling. Being an archipelagic state Indonesia faces the problem of

smuggling to and from the neighbouring states. The smugglers take shelter in
small islands spread around whole of Indonesia.

b.

Piracy. The sea around the Strait of Malacca is one of the most dangerous

routes in the world for piracy. In many cases, piracy operations are financed by
foreign organizations with home bases in neighboring countries. The pirates
usually operate small powerful boats that enable them to easily escape from
Indonesian police by harboring in very shallow waters inaccessible to police.

c.

Illegal fishing.

The closeness of borders with other countries poses a

great concern. The number of boats operating close to shore threatens the small
sized fish endangered species. The country annually loses millions of Dollars
through illegal fishing.

d.

Supply of Arms to Insurgent Movements. The Indonesian archipelago is

full of religious-communal and separatist violence and tension. There are a

number of insurgent movements active in Indonesia and supply of arms to these
ethnic liberation movements by sea is a major concern for Indonesia.

e.

Illegal immigrants. Due to the unemployment caused by the financial

crisis within the country, the people illegally migrate to surrounding countries.
The agents receive handsome amount from the locals and smuggle them to
Australia.

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ROLE OF INDONESIAN NAVY

28.

Based on its threat perception we perceive that Indonesian Navy has Military,

Constabulary and Benign roles to be performed, first the Military role.

MILITARY ROLE

29.

As already mentioned in threat perception, the disputed or unsettled long

maritime borders with regional countries such as China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines,
Australia and Papua New Guinea is a potential source of conflict for Indonesia. Being
smaller in size and potential the Indonesian navy will have to resort to sea denial or Fleet
in being in case of conflict against China or Australia. However it may achieve Sea
Control against smaller navies of Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, and Papua New
Guinea.

CONSTABULARY ROLE

30.

According to our perceived idea the Policing role of Indonesian Navy includes

anti piracy and anti smuggling operations. It also supports the civil administration in
counter insurgency operations and suppression of ethnic and separatist movements.
Fishery protection and Control of illegal fishing is the other policing role that Indonesian
Navy performs.

BENIGN ROLE

31.

The benign roles that we have perceived for the Indonesian Navy includes disaster

relief, Assistance to refugees, Peace building operations, Search and rescue, Medical
camps and Support to educational Institutions.

Cooperation Afloat Readiness and

Training exercise (CARAT) is a series of bilateral exercises that take place in Southeast
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Asia every summer.

The countries that take part in this exercise are Indonesia,

Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore The purpose of this exercise is to
enhance the professionalism of regional navies in humanitarian assistance and disaster
relief activities and operations. Indonesian Navy provides assistance to refugees
whenever required, which includes provision of food, shelter and medical facilities. The
Navy also undertakes evacuation operations of refugees when required.

FORCE GOALS

32.

The 21st century was declared as a Naval Century, in which the naval forces of

Indonesia will be the most important element of National power and prestige. The Army
has been reduced to a secondary role by appointing an Admiral as C-in-C of the
Indonesian Armed Forces. In this context, it is planned to increase Naval personnel to
70,000 over the next five years including the expansion of the Marine Corps by 10,000
personnel to form a third brigade.

33.

Indonesias future plans also include modernisation of navys amphibious lift

capabilities and acquiring assets to improve its EEZ protection and to counter piracy. The
navy intends to procure amphibious vessels to support the Marine Corps and to improve
inter island support.

34.

The future plans also include decommissioning of 14 older ships over the next 5

years and acquire at least 8 new ships at the same time, including at least 2 corvettes.
The purchase of a military transport ship from Russian shipyards has been announced,
but the current status on that plan is unclear. Four additional FPB-57 Type FAC(M) are
being locally manufactured and the first batch of improved FPB-57 FAC(M)s is due to
enter service soon. As far as the subsurface force is concerned, the Navy plans suitable
replacement of its ageing Type 209 class submarines.

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35.

A new naval aviation base is being established at Kupang in Western Timor. It is

planned to purchase 3-4 Mi-17 ship borne or Super Lynx ASW helos to replace the
WASPs but once again the economy will be a restricting factor in the way of this
acquisition. Five locally built CN-235 maritime patrol planes were ordered last year and
at least 18 such platforms may eventually be acquired. The Indonesian Navy has shown
interest in acquiring Russian BE-200 Jet, which is expected to be used for maritime
patrol. The other interest shown is the purchase of 12 Russian Su-30s, which doesnt
seem to get materialized at this stage. Obviously these fighters if acquired would be a
major leap forward in capability for the Indonesian AF, and would have a considerable
impact on their maritime strike air power.

ANALYSIS
36.

Owing to the Maritime threats to Indonesia the Navy has been assigned a clear

modernisation priority, which is to progressively assume the central function in a new

strategic concept, in which Indonesia will play a more important role in the region.

CONCLUSION

37.

Over the past 2 decades, Indonesia has built up a navy that is capable of

monitoring its vast archipelago but lately, these have fallen into neglect and despair due
to the recent economic crises. However the Indonesian Navy plans to upgrade its Fleet
once the economy of the country stabilizes.

38.

Realizing the importance of sea, Indonesia has accorded first priority to the

modernization of the Navy. Indonesia's Naval strategy has been to use a small number of
submarines, light frigates and fast attack craft armed with anti-ship missiles and
torpedoes to control the vital waterways and to counter smuggling, piracy and protect
maritime resources.

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39.

Indonesia has been the most reliable ally of Pakistan in 1965 war, however now it

has an inclination towards India.

RECOMMENDATIONS

40.

In view of our analysis following are the recommendations:

a.

Pakistan is to develop more cordial relations with Indonesia so as to

redirect its inclination towards Pakistan.

b.

Exchange of officers for staff courses and other professional courses is to

be made a regular feature.

c.

Pakistan Navy may explore avenues of mutual cooperation in the field of

shipbuilding technology with Indonesian Navy.

d.

To fully exploit its maritime assets, Pakistan is to establish Maritime

Council and Maritime Exploration Ministry.

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