Indonesian Navy prepares first live-fire test of unmanned submarine

hartono · Oct 24, 2025

Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali in Jakarta, Friday (October 24, 2025).ANTARA/Walda Marison

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali stated that the Indonesian Navy will collaborate with state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia to develop an unmanned submarine (KSOT) capable of being equipped with torpedo weapons.

According to him, the development is necessary for Indonesia’s first unmanned submarine to detect enemies using radar and conduct offensive operations.

He said the timing for the KSOT’s live-fire test has not yet been confirmed.

“We do not know the exact time yet, but we will keep trying,” he noted.

Earlier, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that the Indonesian Navy would deploy the KSOT for its first live-fire test next week.

“Next week, we will conduct the live-fire test of the unmanned submarine,” the minister said at the Ministry of Defense office in Central Jakarta, Wednesday.

Sjamsoeddin explained that the test would take place in Surabaya, under the operational area of the Navy’s Fleet Command II (Koarmada II).

According to him, Indonesia should be proud, as it is now the world’s fourth country to possess an unmanned submarine.

The minister added that the test would be open to the public and could be covered by the media.

Translator: Walda Marison, Asri Mayang SariEditor: M Razi Rahman Copyright © ANTARA 2025