Indonesia Plans to Field Its First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, Eyes Indian Assistance in Design, Propulsion, and Aircraft Operations

Indonesia is embarking on a significant project to build its first domestically-produced aircraft carrier, seeking to strengthen its naval presence and maritime defense capabilities.

As part of this ambitious endeavor, Indonesia has reached out to India for collaboration on various aspects of aircraft carrier technology.

This request highlights Indonesia's recognition of India's growing expertise in naval shipbuilding. India recently achieved a major milestone with the commissioning of the INS Vikrant, its first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier.

The INS Vikrant, with a reported 76% of its components sourced within India, demonstrates the country's proficiency in constructing large, complex warships and integrating crucial systems, including propulsion, combat management, and aircraft launch and recovery operations.

According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the INS Vikrant is 262 meters long and 62 meters wide, displacing approximately 43,000 tonnes when fully loaded. It can operate a variety of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.

While the specific details of Indonesia's request are not yet fully public, potential areas of cooperation are numerous. India could potentially provide valuable insights into the overall design process, including hull construction and structural engineering.

Sharing lessons learned from the INS Vikrant project, particularly regarding balancing cost-effectiveness, operational capability, and construction timelines, could be extremely beneficial.

Furthermore, Indonesia might be interested in specific Indian-developed technologies. This could include collaboration on gas turbine engines, and potentially even future electric propulsion systems.

India's expertise in aircraft handling on deck, including launch and recovery systems, along with established safety procedures, is also likely of interest.

India has also made significant advancements in developing its own radar, communication, and control systems, and integrating these onto a carrier platform.

Beyond the physical components of the carrier, India could provide training for Indonesian Navy personnel in aircraft carrier operations, maintenance procedures, and overall crew management. This would enhance the operational readiness of any future Indonesian carrier.

 

[P2S2]

The writer needs to evolve with the times. Indonesia is probably seeking assistance from its brother to assist plan and build the latest possible aircraft carrier at the cheapest affordable price. It knows it is possible in- house with India. Please go overboard and assist Vikrant's sister aircraft carrier.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

India should not. They will try to bring headaches for us in the BoB as an OIC member. Being an Islamic nation, it is usual for them to support Pak over India. India should also think about long-term consequences instead of short-term gain.

 

[BORN FIGHTER]

Indonesia doesn't need aircraft carriers as it has many islands.

 

[Sourav Chowdhury]

No nation shares its sensitive military secrets, and an aircraft carrier is one such... India, beware.

 

[Puneet]

They should first order one to build one. Technology developed in decades cannot be given without orders.

 

[DS]

Defence Cooperation- Yes.

Best option- Offer to build in India at CSL whilst training Indonesian personnel here on-site .

A complete package can be drawn up here with IN involved.

 

[Dredd]

India should not. They will try to bring headaches for us in the BoB as an OIC member. Being an Islamic nation, it is usual for them to support Pak over India. India should also think about long-term consequences instead of short-term gain.

India, should weapon dependency can also help us in case we want to arm twist them. Nevertheless, it will bring good forex and employment to our shipyards.

 

[P2S2]

Protecting IOR can't be at India's cost alone or at the mercy of US and China’s whims. South East Asia is and was an extension of India. Pakistan was and could be a part of India again. Allowing others to represent family members isn't going to make those members outsiders. Utilising human resources will benefit the region and keep at bay invaders. Putin has been forced into Myanmar, he will come to Indonesian aid to keep the Chinese at bay. China may squeeze in through Pakistan. Islamic nuclear technology came through Indonesia but didn't transform the world instead they find themselves at the mercy of China and the west. India is the only bright spot for them. They have always come to loot the riches now they will work like everyone else and keep stupid invaders at bay. If the family stops treating the descendants of their relatives who converted to stay alive as enemies. Indoctrination by beliefs destroys races and cultures.

 

[kumar]

When nobody is willing to give tech on the world market, then India should not give the same. Small countries like Indonesia have big ambitions, but countries like us don't invest in developing our own tech.

 

[beencensured]

Why make them, since aircraft are said to be useless in India? But less influential nations like Indonesia need them, like America and China.

 

[Sandeep]

First Indonesia should learn how carriers are operated which will take them years to be taught everything from the hull to the top deck. That’s something that we can help with.

If Indonesia is really after a carrier then China will definitely do everything they can to win the contract and this isn’t good for India as this will make Indonesia heavily reliant on them for spares, parts, maintenance, servicing, support, training, technology, weapons, radars, missiles, carrier capable jets etc.

India has no choice but to offer them an alternative, reliable, efficient, effective, cost effective and strong carrier etc. We just have to be really careful and smart on not transferring too much technology to them, restrict the type of weapons it can use, not provide any software access, combat management system, type of equipment in use etc. This will still make them reliant on us for the next 30-40 years on upgrades, changes, servicing etc and give us a guaranteed revenue stream throughout that period.

 

[P2S2]

Russia did that to India and would be more forthcoming this time. If you don't care about your own domain then others move in. Loss of trust of the Chinese is the only reason they are even bothering to look at India. With America trying to get back to basics financiers will start moving into Singapore and Indonesia has huge resources which it can offer. India is held in high regard by Indonesia, pushing them away would be madness supplying similar equipment to them would be an asset that could be called upon in the future.

 

[P2S2]

No nation shares its sensitive military secrets, and an aircraft carrier is one such... India, beware.

The French built an aircraft carrier for Russia. Aircraft carriers are a liability its difficult and manpower restrictive and ties away too many useful assets. With those assets others could produce better defense results showmanship has its own deterrence value with extended area denial which could also be done by other cheaper alternatives. But Indonesia needs a few of them for safety reasons with it's extensive archipelago.

 

[Prince singh Rawat]

First Indonesia should learn how carriers are operated which will take them years to be taught everything from the hull to the top deck. That’s something that we can help with.

If Indonesia is really after a carrier then China will definitely do everything they can to win the contract and this isn’t good for India as this will make Indonesia heavily reliant on them for spares, parts, maintenance, servicing, support, training, technology, weapons, radars, missiles, carrier capable jets etc.

India has no choice but to offer them an alternative, reliable, efficient, effective, cost effective and strong carrier etc. We just have to be really careful and smart on not transferring too much technology to them, restrict the type of weapons it can use, not provide any software access, combat management system, type of equipment in use etc. This will still make them reliant on us for the next 30-40 years on upgrades, changes, servicing etc and give us a guaranteed revenue stream throughout that period.

Do you think China will give Indonesia carriers? Or even let them develop?

 

[P2S2]

Do you think China will give Indonesia carriers? Or even let them

Chinese are financing massive projects in Indonesia. They mine nickel and other ores. They own most large businesses. They have a close trading relationship. They are assisting Indonesia to become an EV battery superpower. The only reason Indonesia looks at India is because of age old history. They are the oldest Hindu and Buddhist empires they have recently converted to Islam and they don't trust the Chinese like many others.

 

[Enforcer]

India needs to modernize fast! All these smaller countries are popping up slowly, but we are asleep behind the wheel. They are all competitors in the regional space, and the 21st century has already been denoted as the Asian century. Towards the end of the century, there is going to be lots of competition.

No tech to any countries.
No advanced weapons to other major competitor countries.
No weapons at all to Islamic countries.

 

[P2S2]

India needs to modernize fast! All these smaller countries are popping up slowly, but we are asleep behind the wheel. They are all competitors in the regional space, and the 21st century has already been denoted as the Asian century. Towards the end of the century, there is going to be lots of competition.

No tech to any countries.
No advanced weapons to other major competitor countries.
No weapons at all to Islamic countries.

That thinking has been the main enemy in India, Hindus unwanted as equals leading to those evolved beings walking away from their religion. Probably it happened earlier and Asiatic ones became Buddhists. Probably it happened earlier than that and the earlier ones are Jews. When you denigrate and look down on others, the capable ones show you the finger and walk away. It probably is the mother of all religions and keeps being arrogantly controlled. Shutting out many beings. Arrogance only works when you are strong, if as you keep reducing others keep expanding. Indonesia practices Pancha Sila five ways of enlightenment that is state ideology every one had to choose one of the five religions so decades ago tribal people with no religion had to choose one by law after Independence. Many rushed and chose Hinduism in central Java, they didn't know what to do, so they engaged Hindu priests to teach them. Many became disillusioned and changed to become Buddhists as there were old Buddhist temples around the area. Slowly efficiently those who wanted them managed to influence them to become Muslims. It isn't any fault on their part if arrogant people consider them unfit for their religion and it isn't their fault when people like you throw them to the wolves because of Arrogance. Now they prefer not to become Chinese but you have your ideas so probably they.may end up using chopsticks.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

India, should weapon dependency can also help us in case we want to arm twist them. Nevertheless, it will bring good forex and employment to our shipyards.

What arm-twisting do you expect from this deal? Once, they betrayed India during the Indo-Pak war despite Indian support for their independence. You can't please a snake. As I said, there is no long-term gain from this deal; only short-term gain is possible. For they'll always back a fellow Islamic nation in times of Indo-Pak conflict. Remember, they never supported us in the OIC.

 

[P2S2]

What arm-twisting do you expect from this deal? Once, they betrayed India during the Indo-Pak war despite Indian support for their independence. You can't please a snake. As I said, there is no long-term gain from this deal; only short-term gain is possible. For they'll always back a fellow Islamic nation in times of Indo-Pak conflict. Remember, they never supported us in the OIC.

Nothing other than professionalism efficiency and partnership. When shit happens we will have a partner with quality equipment to fish our men out of the water. There will be thousands of islands for them to survive on. There will be half a billion extra people to together defend the region. Our market would expand by another billion people. By the way they have set aside prime land for seven different religions to build huge religious buildings. They expanded the previous five and included Taoist as a religion to please the Chinese as well. Bali is where the Hindu priests reign from.

 

[Dredd]

What arm-twisting do you expect from this deal? Once, they betrayed India during the Indo-Pak war despite Indian support for their independence. You can't please a snake. As I said, there is no long-term gain from this deal; only short-term gain is possible. For they'll always back a fellow Islamic nation in times of Indo-Pak conflict. Remember, they never supported us in the OIC.

What is the significance of the OIC, apart from condemning or issuing statements? OIC countries themselves are not united; Turkey attacks Syria, Iraq and Iran are in opposite camps most of the time, Iran is the enemy of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Qatar is a thorn in the eyes of the Saudis and UAE. The list goes on and on.

Dependency on spare parts or technology is also a kind of arm-twisting in times of crisis, like the US refusing us GPS in the Kargil War.

 

[Dredd]

Indonesia doesn't need aircraft carriers as it has many islands.

Everyone has ambitions. Even Thailand has one aircraft carrier.

 

[Dredd]

India needs to modernize fast! All these smaller countries are popping up slowly, but we are asleep behind the wheel. They are all competitors in the regional space, and the 21st century has already been denoted as the Asian century. Towards the end of the century, there is going to be lots of competition.

No tech to any countries.
No advanced weapons to other major competitor countries.
No weapons at all to Islamic countries.

I agree with ToT, but we should sell as many weapons as they can afford. Most probably, Islamic countries will use them against each other.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

What is the significance of the OIC, apart from condemning or issuing statements? OIC countries themselves are not united; Turkey attacks Syria, Iraq and Iran are in opposite camps most of the time, Iran is the enemy of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Qatar is a thorn in the eyes of the Saudis and UAE. The list goes on and on.

Dependency on spare parts or technology is also a kind of arm-twisting in times of crisis, like the US refusing us GPS in the Kargil War.

Wasn't it Indonesia that wanted to send warships to aid Pak during the Indo-Pak conflict? Check their records. Regarding the unity of the OIC, today's outcomes are not tomorrow's. Just because it is happening today, it doesn't mean tomorrow it would be the same. But do you agree that they're all snakes, right? Dude, why even compare imparting 'expertise' on AC making with that US GPS denial? Both are different and thus illogical.

Once India shares its expertise & knowledge on building an aircraft carrier with Indonesia, Indonesia will have acquired that knowledge and will no longer be dependent on India for it. They can go to Turkey and other nations if India denies assistance or spare parts for AC warships.

In that sense, India would lose its leverage to deny or withhold that expertise from Indonesia in the future, unlike the US denying GPS support to India during the Kargil War. The US didn't give us expertise, aka knowledge, to build GPS but to use it under their monitoring. Whereas, Indonesia is asking for full expertise, also remember ToT on BrahMos.