Danantara Accelerates Investment Support for PT PAL to Strengthen Maritime and Defence Industry
Danantara Indonesia has affirmed its commitment to accelerating the realisation of strategic support for PT PAL Indonesia, the lead industry in the national maritime sector and a key pillar in strengthening Indonesia’s defence industry. The commitment was conveyed by Danantara Indonesia’s Managing Director Business 2, Setyanto Hantoro, during a working visit to PT PAL Indonesia in Surabaya. During the visit, Danantara confirmed its readiness to support PT PAL’s business transformation and development through strengthened resource allocation and long-term investment.
Setyanto stated that Danantara’s support would focus on strengthening the financing structure, optimising budget allocation, and placing strategic investments to accelerate the company’s transformation and boost the competitiveness of the national maritime industry. “Danantara is fully committed to overseeing financial support, optimising budget allocation, and ensuring targeted strategic investment placement. This acceleration is a priority that must be realised immediately, as instructed by President Prabowo Subianto during a limited meeting in February 2026,” Setyanto said.
According to him, the transformation steps currently being undertaken by PT PAL Indonesia, including the implementation of the Maritime Industry 4.0 concept, are in line with the President’s vision to build a modern, competitive, and globally capable independent national industry. Setyanto emphasised that PT PAL Indonesia holds a highly strategic position in the regional shipbuilding industry. The company is the only shipyard in Southeast Asia with the capability to independently build submarines. This advantage, he noted, is a crucial asset that must be continuously strengthened through investment support, technological development, and increased production capacity.
“PT PAL’s competitive advantage must be continuously reinforced and accelerated. Moreover, PT PAL has proven its ability to independently produce superior products by involving the domestic component industry. This not only has a positive impact on the company but also strengthens the entire national maritime industry ecosystem,” he said. Responding to this support, PT PAL Indonesia’s President Director, Kaharuddin Djenod, stated that the company has prepared a strong foundation to carry out its role as the National Consolidator and Lead Integrator of the Indonesian Maritime Industry. He explained that PT PAL’s transformation focuses not only on increasing production capacity but also on improving corporate governance, strengthening financial fundamentals, and modernising technology.
“PT PAL’s readiness as the National Consolidator of the Maritime Industry begins with strengthening financial fundamentals, modernising production facilities, accelerating project completion, and fully integrating digital systems,” Kaharuddin said. He explained that PT PAL is currently continuing to strengthen production independence and technological mastery to improve company performance while reinforcing Indonesia’s position in the global maritime industry. “The characteristics of the defence manufacturing industry are very complex and differ from other sectors. Therefore, strengthening production and technological capabilities is key to ensuring PT PAL can grow sustainably and competitively at the international level,” he explained.
During the visit, the Danantara Indonesia delegation also inspected several strategic facilities owned by PT PAL Indonesia, which are an important part of developing the national maritime and defence industry. Facilities visited included the ORCA 50,000 Graving Dock, the Shiplift construction project, and the development of the Autonomous Submarine (KSOT), which is being developed as part of Indonesia’s maritime defence technology innovation. The inspection provided a direct overview of PT PAL’s infrastructure readiness, production capacity, and technological capability to support the future needs of the national maritime and defence industry. Through the synergy between Danantara Indonesia and PT PAL Indonesia, the government hopes the transformation of the national maritime industry can proceed more rapidly, strengthen the independence of domestic strategic industries, and increase Indonesia’s contribution as a maritime power in the region and the world.