Indonesian navy to buy six Russian submarines
The Indonesian Navy is to buy six modern diesel submarines from Russia as part of an upgrading of its ageing military arsenal, the state news agency reported today.
Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Slamet Soebijanto told Antara the military would buy four Kilo class and two Amur 950, Lada class, Russian submarines. No financial details were disclosed.
The Russian submarines, equipped with missiles, torpedoes, and anti-mine systems, were chosen over French and German equivalents “because they are affordable and technologically reliable,” Soebijanto was quoted as saying.
Indonesia has been looking for other sources for arms since the US – formerly its largest supplier of weapons and equipment – cut military ties in 1999. The ban was lifted last year by the US, but no new American orders have been placed.
The Indonesian Defence Ministry also has plans to buy a dozen Russian-made Sukhoi fighter planes early next year, another six submarines by 2024, and warships, possibly from Russia and the Netherlands.
