KKIP supports PT PAL in realising national maritime industry independence

The Defence Industry Policy Committee (KKIP) is supporting PT PAL Indonesia in strengthening and realising the development of a self-reliant national defence industry, particularly in the maritime sector. “For KKIP, PT PAL holds a strategic position as the driving force behind national maritime defence industry independence,” said KKIP Head of Planning, Retired Rear Admiral Darwanto, in a statement in Surabaya on Wednesday. Darwanto stated that the spirit of building defence industry independence must be continuously supported, including through strengthening national industrial capabilities, technological mastery, research, and increasing human resource capacity. He said KKIP expects PT PAL to become a centre for defence maritime technology development that not only meets domestic needs but also enhances Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global market. During the visit, KKIP reviewed the progress of several strategic programmes being undertaken by PT PAL, including submarine construction, mastery of Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) technology, as well as national flagship programmes such as the Frigate Merah Putih (FMP) and the Autonomous Submarine (KSOT). These programmes are considered to play a vital role in strengthening technological mastery, increasing the capability of the national shipbuilding industry, and simultaneously reducing Indonesia’s dependence on foreign defence technology. Darwanto said the results of this monitoring and evaluation will serve as input for formulating KKIP policy recommendations to strengthen the national defence industry ecosystem, including encouraging the acceleration of technology transfer, increasing industrial capacity, and strengthening collaboration between the government, industry, research institutions, and end-users. PT PAL Indonesia’s Director of Production, Diana Rosa, said the success of defence industry transformation is not solely determined by the company’s internal capabilities but also requires policy support and strategic perspectives from stakeholders. According to Diana, PT PAL needs insights and perspectives from various parties, including KKIP. “It is hoped that the results of this monitoring and evaluation can be one of the considerations in formulating future KKIP policies, so as to strengthen joint steps in realising national defence industry independence,” she said.