Indonesian Navy to Purchase Six Russian Subs

According to the AP, the Indonesian Navy will purchase six modern diesel submarines from Russia as part of an upgrading of its aging military arsenal, the state news agency reported Thursday. Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Slamet Soebijanto told Antara the military will buy four Kilo class and two Amur 950, Lada class, Russian submarines. No financial details were disclosed. The Russian submarines, equipped with missiles, torpedoes, and anti-mine systems, were chosen over French and German equivalents. The Indonesian Defense Ministry also has plans to buy a dozen Russian-made Sukhoi fighter planes early next year, another six submarines by 2024, and warships, possibly from Russia and the Netherlands.