In a parliamentary hearing on April 27, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) revealed some of its modernization goals and critical vulnerabilities in the country’s maritime security.
TNI AL Chief of Staff, Admiral Muhammad Ali, stated that the service is currently unable to monitor foreign submarines’ activity within the country’s archipelagic sea lanes––which include key chokepoints like the Sunda, Lombok, and Makassar Straits––as it lacks fixed seabed underwater surveillance systems. Meanwhile, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows foreign submarines to pass through these sea lanes while submerged.
Hence, Admiral Ali stressed that the navy must acquire systems akin to U.S. SOSUS that would enable real-time detection and tracking of underwater objects, including unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). He noted that a proposal for acquiring such systems has been submitted to the Ministry of Defence and received presidential backing.
Additionally, the admiral outlined broader C4ISR modernization goals. By 2044, TNI AL aims to operate 35 coastal surveillance systems/sites, eight underwater surveillance systems, six fleet command and control centres, and one main/national-level command and control centre. Investments in long-range surveillance technologies, satellite capabilities, artificial intelligence, and advanced information fusion centres are part of the modernization goals.
The admiral added that Singapore would help TNI AL upgrade its command-and-control centres as the city-state currently has the most advanced and modern maritime Information Fusion Centre (IFC) in the region. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of improving data sharing among regional partners. For this purpose, TNI AL is planning to send liaison officers to India’s IFC and host liaison officers from other navies at its own IFC.
The hearing also discussed existing challenges hampering TNI AL’s readiness and operations. Admiral Ali reported that the service’s current readiness rates for warships, maritime patrol aircraft, and Marine Corps combat vehicles are 60.93%, 23.71%, and 35.95%, respectively. He highlighted that TNI AL’s fleet size remains below optimal levels, with many ships aging and in need of replacement.
Major logistical and financial pressures compound the readiness problem, notably a $191 million fuel debt TNI AL has incurred with Pertamina, the country’s state-owned oil and gas company.
In addition, the admiral praised the growing capability of domestic shipyards to meet the navy’s operational requirements. He also indicated that the state-owned shipbuilder, PT PAL, continues its work on developing autonomous submarines or underwater vehicles (AUVs).
In line with legislators’ concerns, the admiral addressed the ongoing issue of overlapping maritime security responsibilities among multiple agencies, which has led to inefficiencies. Therefore, he expressed full support for the establishment of a single Coast Guard organization/body while affirming that TNI AL will still play a role in maritime security. To improve coordination and resource use, TNI AL has taken steps such as allowing Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) cutters to access Navy bases and training facilities.
