The 1,400-ton submarine measures 61m in length, capable of accommodating 40 crews and long range operations up to 10,000 nautical miles. It can undertake various missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, operations by special forces and mine laying. The ceremony has been attended by many high-ranking officials from both Indonesia and Korea including the Secretary General of Ministry of Defence Vice Admiral Widodo, Vice Chief of Staff of Indonesian Navy Vice Admiral Arie Hendrycus Sembiring, and ROKN Submarine Force Commander. “Following the launching ceremony of the 1st Submarine this March, the consecutive successful launch of the submarine has great significance to DSME as it demonstrates our advanced submarine technology,” DSME’s Shipyard General Manager Sung Geun Lee said. “DSME, as a strategic partner, will continue cooperate with Indonesian shipyard PT.PAL in line with Indonesian Government’s policies to enhance its national defense industry.” South Korea's DSME signed a contract in 2011 that calls for the construction of three 1,400-ton submarines (in collaboration with local shipyard PT PAL) for the Indonesian Navy for a total of $1.1 billion. The contract marked Korea's largest single export defense contract and the first submarine export contract as well. DSME built the first two submarines, KRI Nagabanda (hull number 403) and KRI Trisula (404) in South Korea while PT PAL should built the third hull KRI Nagarangsang (405) in Indonesia. PT PAL could also build follow-on hulls in the future. The first two submarines are expected to be delivered in 2017 and 2018. |