Indonesia Looks To Russian Submarines

The government is set to purchase at least one Kilo class Russian-made submarine, a legislator said. “There’s always been a plan to purchase submarine and I’ve surveyed a few submarine workshops in Moscow, Russia. This submarine is to display our naval strength and also anticipate any armed conflicts,” deputy speaker of the House of Representatives’ Commission 1 on political, security and foreign affairs, Yusron Ihza said, as quoted by Antara news.
Ihza added that due to the global economic downturn, the purchase would be made in stages.
“It’s not necessary to own many submarines since they are expensive, just three state of the art units suffice to safeguard the integrity of our waters,” Ihza said. He added that the country’s economic power needed enhancement as it correlated to the country’s defense and security.
If the country’s economy lies in the balance, so is our defense, Ihza said. “My colleagues and I at the House have fought for an increase in defense spending, yet unfortunately this isn’t possible now,” he said, adding that only a third of the proposed budget was approved.

source: asiadefence

Indonesian Fleet Review 2009

Indonesian Fleet Review is a Static parade of Warships and Tallships from Indonesia and other participating countries by the port, allowing visitors to come aboard the ships (Openship).

The parade will begin from Bitung to The Ritzy Hotel at Manado City (Sailing Pass) where President of The Republic of Indonesia will kindly receive placard from all navy commander of the participating countries.

Following the Opening Ceremony by the President, the parade will sail back to Bitung where the Openship session is held.

Date : August 12 - 20, 2009
Venue : Bitung and Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Participating Countries : Warship & Tallship :
United States, Australia, Netherlands, Chile, India, Italy, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, France, Russia, Spain & Portugal

Warship :
Bangladesh, China, Philippines, England, Germany, Cambodia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, UAE, Greece, Libya, South Africa, Morocco, Kuwait, Oman, Aljazair & Syria.


Supporting Activities
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The following events and activities will be held to support The Indonesian Fleet Review (IFR) 2009. Dinner hosted by The Governor of North Sulawesi
Food Festival
International Maritime Seminar
Dinner hosted by Indonesian Navy Chief (KASAL)
Fireworks Festival
Sailing Pass
Lunch hosted by The President of The Republic of Indonesia
Inspection by The President of The Republic of Indonesia

source: www.sailbunaken2009.com

Indonesian Navy supremacy in 1960’s

Kejayaan TNI-AL di era 60-an
Indonesian Navy supremacy in 1960’s

In 1959 Indonesian Navy (ALRI) announcing program that known as Striving for Glorious Navy and become starting point to modernizing ALRI arms system and organization. Until 1965, ALRI having a significant progress on arms system. These was from the background of political confrontation in order to seized West Papua from the Dutch which feels it can’t be finished with diplomacy approach. Various Navies combat material from Eastern Europe strengthen ALRI and becoming ALRI as dominant power in that era.

ALRI fleet during that day was: Major unit (‘Swardorf’ class battle cruiser RI Irian, 12 frigates ‘Riga’ class, 7 destroyers, 17 corvettes, 12 ‘Whisky’ class submarine, 2 submarine chasers, 2 submarine carriers, 1 submarine depot and 15 amphibious vessels). Light forces (12 fast missile boats ‘Komar’ class, 18 gunboats, 3 Landing Ship Tank and 21 torpedo boats). Miscellaneous forces (25 maritime patrol boats, 10 motor launchers, 20 minesweepers, 4 survey vessels, 4 depot ships, 9 oilers and 10 auxiliaries).

Beside that, there are long-range bomber Ilyushin Il-28 Beagle, 18 maritime recon plane, Mi-4 helicopter and heavy amphibious vehicle including PT-76 amphibians tank for more than three Marine regiment and also various weapon and ammunition. All of these combat materiel was a part of ALRI purchase program from Soviet in 1958 totaled $126.201.700. With that strength, in early 1960’s ALRI considering as the largest Navy in Asia

There is many sea operation during West Papua freedom operation that also known as Trikora campaign. In early Trikora stage, ALRI fast-torpedo boats must be battle against Dutch destroyer, frigates and also Dutch Navy airplane at January 15, 1962. Commodore Jos Sudarso with Indonesian Navy Ship (KRI) Macan Tutul sank in that battle. The moment that remembers as Oceans Dedication Day is increasing the passion to seized West Papua with military action. The ALRI submarine successfully infiltrates the personnel from Army Special Forces to the Papua. In Trikora campaign, ALRI succeed to organizing Jayawijaya operation that will be the largest amphibians operation in Indonesian history. No more than 100 ships and 42.000 soldier including the reserve army and volunteer was prepared for this operation. These military show of force, pushing the Dutch government to the diplomation table and make agreement to transfer of sovereignty of West Papua to the Indonesian government.

Indonesian political confrontation against new-colonialism and imperialism continued in Dwikora campaign to oppose the establishment of Malaysian country. Even the element from Indonesian Armed Forces and volunteer has been prepared for this campaign, but the operation was only limited on infiltration assault to the Malaysian area. ALRI soldier from ALRI Commando Corps (KKO Marinir) and Navy Underwater Team (Kopaska) was involved in this phase. They are success to make sabotage and clandestine operation in Malaysia and Singapore, but some of them are capture by the Allied forces. Two Marine soldier Usman and Harun was got hanging punishment in Singapore, the other personnel released after the peace agreement was signed. Meanwhile, the other ALRI element making show of force to balanced the provocation from Allied country Navy forces.

Where Are You Irian?

Dimanakah kau Irian?
Where are you Irian?

The history was dark. Not so clear, how its fate after September 30, 1965 movement (Gestapu). But there is a joke about Indonesian Navy Ships (KRI) Irian: nothing frightened by Irian include Karel Doorman – the Dutch Navy aircraft carrier. There is only one thing narrowing its guts, Hajji Syukri (famous scrap iron skipper in Surabaya).

Someone said it was scrap, another said that has been sold. But some reference shows that, KRI Irian turn into scrap iron during Sudomo become Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL). According to the senior journalist Hendro Subroto, these Swardorf class battle cruisers that only made four by the fabricants sale to Japan after its arms wipe out. “Whereas in Tanjung Priok are still two spare part warehouse. Yet because the maintenance handle by the Russian, after Gestapu we don’t have technician anymore,” Hendro said. Ships with 229 m length and 23,3 m width cruiser type with 1.050 people capacity, entering the Indonesian Navy fleet at October 1, 1962. Ship that buy from the Soviet Union fully armed with 12 cannon 6 inch caliber, 12 cannon 3,9 inch caliber, 32 anti aircraft defense 37mm caliber, 10 torpedo launcher 21 inch caliber, also 250 sea bomb.

At that time, KRI Irian was the largest battle ship in southern region of the world. This type was the last conventional cruiser that build for the Soviet Navy and stopped by Nikita Khrushchev – the Soviet President – considering as an dated type because the introduction of guided missile. It is the first time in history that Soviet sold a large battle cruiser like these to the other country. Indonesia was the first country to operate this kind of cruiser in Asia-Pacific region. Hot temperature and high humidity in tropical country like Indonesia making negative impact to the Navy fleet especially the ships that comes from Soviet which famous with its cold temperature.

With speed around 34,5 mile per hour, ship that moved by 2 shaft geared steam turbine can crossed the sea at least for 5.000 mile. Because its huge side with 15.450-ton dead weight, maximum weight 19.200 ton, surely KRI Irian shaking the Dutch defense during Trikora campaign and becoming Indonesian Navy proud until now. KRI Irian main duty is to find and destroy Dutch aircraft carrier Karel Doorman if they entering the Indonesian sea. But until Trikora was over, KRI Irian never found Karel Doorman. Some source from intelligence said that Karel Doorman was far hanging its anchor in Pacific Oceans and ordered not to enter Indonesian area.

Because the Indonesian Navy never have the fleet before, the crew try to operate these expensive and high technology ship with trial and error method. On November 1962 notes that one diesel engine was damaged because hydraulically collide when they try to up into surface, one destroyer was broke and 3 of 6 ship boiler was also damage. In 1964, this cruiser was fully lost its operational efficiency and decided to send KRI Irian to the Vladivostok for the maintenance. In March 1964, KRI Irian arrives in Dalzavod factory. Soviet technician and sailor were surprised looking the ship conditions and the ships crew obviously didn’t do so many little maintenance that was. They also interesting with small modification by the Indonesian Navy that changing clothes room into prayer room (something that will never happen in communist country). After the maintenance was finish, on August 1964 these ships strive to Surabaya with escort from Soviet Navy Destroyer. A year’s later change of government happen in Indonesia. Soeharto attention to the Navy was very different with Soekarno. KRI Irian leave useless in Surabaya, even sometimes this ship using as a prisoners for Soeharto political rival. In 1970 this useless ship begin to fill with water. No bodies care enough to save this cruiser ship. In 1972, KRI Irian was scrap in Taiwan with the reason cronical lack of spares. Unfortunately, where we have to find its short dedication to this country.

Denjaka

Jala Mangkara Detachment
Detasemen Jala Mangkara TNI-AL

The history of Jala Mengkara Detachment (Denjaka) started on November 4, 1982 when the Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff formed a unit called Navy Special Forces (Pasusla). The existence of Pasusla was urgently needed to counter the terrorism activities in the sea.
In the initial phase, 70 personnel from Marine Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion (Yon IPAM) and Navy Underwater Special Forces Command (Kopaska) were recruited to form Pasusla. The trainings for this new unit were under the command of Western Fleet commander with the assistance from the Marine Corps commander. The Navy chief of staff was the operational commander for Pasusla. Western Fleet Command Headquarter became the unit’s base. Denjaka personnel must graduate from Anti Terror Sea Aspect course (PTAL) for 6 months and get Navy Anti terror brevet. This course was joining knowledge from Navy Underwater Team (Kopaska) and Marine Reconnaissance Unit (Taifib).
Upon further development of this unit, Navy chief of staff requested Indonesian Armed Forces commander to form Denjaka. The armed forces commander agreed to this request and since then Denjaka became the Naval Anti-Terror Unit. According to Navy chief of staff direction, Denjaka is a Marines special unit that has the responsibilities to be capable to conduct anti-terror, anti-sabotages, and naval clandestine operations under direct command of armed forces commander. They also can do various limited combat operation that ordered by the Navy chief. Today Denjaka placed somewhere in Cilandak Marine base. This area was very restricted and not many people can enter there.
Denjaka recruitment process started after the conclusion of Para and Commando trainings. Before enrolling in Denjaka training, the troop must have been qualified to become an amphibious surveillance unit member. In its operation, this special forces unit must be able to reach the operational target via sea, underwater, or airborne. Denjaka also have special qualification as a combat swimmer. This unit has been conducting several joint-practices with the US Navy SEAL teams. Denjaka was very strict on publicity, many of Denjaka mission wasn’t formally recorded in Navy headquarter. Denjaka structure consists of 1 base detachment, 1 tactical team and 3 combat team calls Alpha, Bravo and Charlie.

Kopaska

Komando Pasukan Katak (Kopaska) TNI-AL
Navy Underwater Special Forces Command


Navy Underwater Special Forces Command or Kopaska is one-way ticket command. In the meaning that this “frogmen” must succeed to do their mission no matter what it’s cost including sacrificing their own life. Motto for this special navy forces is Tan Hana Wighna Tan Sirna which meaning, “There is no obstacle that we can’t conquer”
Kopaska was formed on March 31 1962 by President Sukarno to help his campaign in Irian Jaya. In that campaign Kopaska ordered to be human torpedoes similar to Japanese 'kamikaze' troops. In doing so they rode the torpedo, guided it until hit the enemy's ship. The early U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) and modern Navy SEAL Teams heavily influence KOPASKA. This foundation was built when early KOPASKA members were sent to the United States for training with the UDTs. That tradition continues today as each year a few men from the unit travel to Coronado, California and Norfolk, Virginia to participate in SEAL training.
Today, unit strength is approximately 300 men, divided into two groups. One is attached to western fleet, based on Pondok Dayung, Jakarta and the other one is attached to eastern fleet, based on Surabaya, East Java. Their main duty is underwater demolition which consists of raiding enemy's ships and bases, destroying main underwater installations, beach reconnaissance, prisoner snatches, and preparing beaches for larger naval amphibious operations. In peace time the unit deploys seven man teams to serve as security personnel for VIPs. Primary among these duties are the escort and personal security of the Indonesian president and vice president. They are also responsible for limited search-and-rescue duties and have deployed as part of United Nations peace forces.
Kopaska personnel also have brevet from the US Navy Seal that indicating Kopaska having same ability and qualification with that legendary special forces. Every Kopaska personnel must have special airborne qualification known as CRRC (Combat Raiding Rubber Craft). Kopaska weapon files such as SIG Sauer P.226, Sea Raider (sea combat vehicle), AK-47, MP-5, FN Minimi and GPMG.
Recruitment for the unit is held once a year and draws exclusively on navy personnel (not from the marines). The maximum age of recruits are no more than 30 years. The length of recruitment is seven months. Usually from 700-1500 men who signed up only 15-20 men will pass the initial selection. After the selection the men who pass will undergo four-phase continual training. The first phase of this is one week of physical training (Hell Week), the second phase is basic underwater training, the third phase is commando training, and the fourth phase is parachute training. In the end from 15-20 men, usually only five or six make it and become Kopaska.