Fuel Efficiency: Indonesian Navy to Use Drones and Autonomous Submarines for Sea Patrols

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Muhammad Ali, stated that his institution will reduce the use of fuel oil (BBM) by deploying drones and autonomous submarines (KSOT) for sea patrols. This measure is intended to support the role of Indonesian warships (KRI), which have been tasked with patrols in Indonesian waters. “In the future, we will prioritise the use of drones because they are very effective and efficient. Even in the future, like the KSOT (autonomous submarines) that you may know about, we will also use them for underwater operations,” Ali said during a press conference held at the Navy Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Thursday. According to Ali, the Indonesian Navy strongly supports the government’s efforts to reduce BBM usage. On the other hand, he is also striving to ensure that the use of main weapon system equipment (alutsista) for sea patrols does not diminish due to the fuel efficiency policy. Therefore, Ali is endeavouring to maximise the utilisation of alutsista that rely on electric power, such as drones and KSOT, to safeguard Indonesia’s maritime areas. In addition to using drones and KSOT, the Indonesian Navy will also employ B50-type fuel for its KRI vessels. “In the future, we will use B50 fuel. Of course, this will require modifications to the engines on the ships,” Ali explained. Ali conveyed that the use of B50 can reduce the Indonesian Navy’s dependence on fuel derived from crude oil. Furthermore, the use of B50 is considered capable of supporting the operations of ships with high mobility, such as sea patrols up to logistics or troop delivery missions. Ali continued that the adoption of B50 fuel will be implemented gradually in the near future. “For patrols at the moment, we are still using ships that run on B35 fuel,” Ali said. With these efforts to use B50 fuel, Ali assured that the intensity of ship patrols at sea will not decrease amid the fuel efficiency period.