The Urgency of Defense

Tragedies such as the sunken KRI Nanggala 402 submarine indicates the need to conduct a comprehensive audit of the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) primary weaponry system (alutsista).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Many lessons can be taken from the sinking of the KRI Nanggala 402 submarine, such as the urgency to renew the country’s primary weaponry system (alutsista) to replace the old equipment. It is also important that a comprehensive audit is conducted to ensure that the equipment is functioning optimally and to guarantee the safety of the Indonesian Military (TNI).

The state will award a promotion to one level higher and Jasalena’s star for the dedication and sacrifice of the best soldiers.

After TNI Chief Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto declared that the KRI Nanggala 402 drowned and that the 53 crew members on board died, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo stated that the government would reward the dedication of all the crew members of the submarine. The government also guarantees the education of the children of the crew.

“The state will award a promotion to one level higher and Jasalena’s star for the dedication and sacrifice of the best soldiers,” said the President in Jakarta, Monday (26/4/2021). The sinking of the KRI Nanggala 402 submarine in the waters north of Bali only adds to a long list of incidents involving the TNI’s alutsista.

Also read:

^ Complete Dedication of the Nation’s Patriots

^ TNI Takes Charge of the Condition of Families of 53 Crew Members

Based on the records of the Indonesian Laboratory 2045, for example, there have been at least 13 accidents involving Indonesian Navy warships between 2004 and 2021. Some of them are notably old, such as the KRI Nanggala submarine, which was made in Germany in 1977.

According to Kompas’ records, other alutsista units have also caused several accidents. At the end of June 2015, a 1961 Hercules C-130 aircraft belonging to the Indonesian Air Force crashed in Medan, North Sumatra. All crew and passengers totaling 113 people were killed in the crash. In early June 2020, an MI-17 helicopter belonging to the TNI crashed in Kendal, Central Java, resulting in the deaths of four pilots died.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

The KRI Nanggala-402 submarine docked at the Madura Pier of the Indonesian Eastern Fleet Command in Surabaya, Monday (6/2/2012) after repairs in South Korea.

Defense budget

Reflecting on these events, defense observer Connie Rahakundini Bakrie asked the government and the House of Representatives to focus on the defense sector. This can be done by allocating an adequate defense budget, including for the rejuvenation of alutsista.

Maintenance of the alutsista needs to be considered as it can extend the life of its use and avoid fatalities.

In addition, there must be an adequate budget set aside for maintenance. Disciplined maintenance of alutsista is important to maintain the equipment’s use.

According to Institute for Security and Strategic Studies military observer Khairul Fahmi, overall, Indonesia’s alutsista is fairly complete. However, some equipment is old, having been purchased between the 1970s and 1990s. Some of them are even secondhand alutsista.

Also read:

^ Prayers Echoing for the Crew

^ Time Running Out to Rescue Crew of KRI Nanggala

According to Fahmi, procuring alutsista in the future will have to be done on a priority scale. Procurement should be carried out in a disciplined manner based on good data management to ensure supervision over the alutsista and its maintenance.

“Maintenance of the alutsista needs to be considered as it can extend the life of its use and avoid fatalities,” he said.

In the case of the sunken KRI Nanggala 402 submarine, he urged that investigations begin from a maintenance audit.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Rows of combat and transport helicopters belonging to the Indonesian Army at the Apache Hangar, Army Aviation Center, Semarang City, Central Java, Thursday (18/3/2021). The AH-64E Apache helicopter gunship is the latest weaponry system imported from America.

KRI Nanggala maintenance

PT PAL Indonesia public relations head Utario Esna Putra said the KRI Nanggala 402 submarine last underwent maintenance in 1995.

Previously, Navy chief of staff Adm. Yudo Margono said that the submarine last docked at PAL in January 2020. Prior to that, the submarine underwent an overhaul in South Korea in 2012. He confirmed that the submarine was operational before it was declared missing on Wednesday (21/4).

Former KRI Nanggala 402 engine room head Ret. Frans Wuwung said submarines ideally underwent an overhaul every five years. However, this schedule had not been met as the submarine had been used to carry out missions.

Also read: Rescue Efforts Intensify for Missing 53-Crewed Nanggala

People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Bambang Soesatyo emphasized that appreciation alone is not enough to repay the submarine crew’s devotion. The government must conduct a thorough audit of alutsista. “An audit for maintenance, repair and inspections are needed so no more soldiers die in training,” he said.

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Thursday (22/4), said t the procurement of new alutsista was very expensive. Thus, the government often faced dilemmas between prioritizing welfare and defense development.

However, he ensured that the government would continue to modernize alutsista. The existing alutsista is still maintained to optimally carry out its function.

Regarding the KRI Nanggala submarine, Yudo promised that a thorough investigation would be carried out.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.