Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia unveiled its autonomous submarine (Kapal Selam Otonom/KSOT in Indonesian) to the public for the first time during the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) 80th Anniversary Parade on October 5 in Jakarta.
The KSOT is said to be equipped with artificial intelligence, capable of a submerged endurance of up to 72 hours, a top speed of 20 knots, and controlled through direct radio or satellite links up to 200 miles away.
PT PAL also stated that the KSOT’s communication/control system could be integrated with command centres on Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) warships, naval bases, and headquarters, thus strengthening the Navy’s networked operations. An armed variant of the submarine is claimed to be capable of carrying several Black Shark torpedoes or Exocet missiles.
As previously reported by Naval News, the KSOT has been designed in three configurations: surveillance, one-way attack (OWA or kamikaze), and torpedo-armed variants.
Alongside the KSOT, PT PAL also displayed a truck-based Autonomous Submarine Command Centre (ASCC), designed to manage and coordinate KSOT’s missions from land.
OSINT and submarines expert H I Sutton, who is also a regular contributor to Naval News, said that “The (KSOT’s) design is straightforward, combining features seen on other XLUUVs. It combines simple hydrodynamics with pragmatic design choices including a traditional cruciform (as opposed to x-form) rudder arrangement. The raised superstructure, giving the impression of a sail like crewed submarines, contains a large folding mast.”
“Indonesia sits at a strategic maritime crossroads between Asia and Europe. It has extensive internal seas which are accessed by a number of natural choke points, including several which are vital to international shipping. A large portion of the world’s shipping passes through its waters. Therefore, it is a natural hotspot, likely to be wrapped up in any future major war, whether it chooses or not. It is natural that the Indonesian Navy will feature heavily in any war plans. And the ability to monitor and restrict access to its internal waters will be key.” Sutton added.
To note, there has been no disclosure of when the KSOT will become fully operational or how many units the Navy intends to procure.
