ITS Rector Prof Dr Ir Bambang Pramujati ST MSc Eng PhD while giving remarks at the national seminar on Future Underwater Technology in Maritime Defense at the ITS Research Center Auditorium

ITS Campus, ITS News —  Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) supports the development of Indonesia’s underwater technology innovation by holding a national seminar titled Future Underwater Technology in Indonesia’s Maritime Defense. The event, which directly presented the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral TNI Dr. Muhammad Ali SE MM MTr Opsla, and leading practitioners from various maritime sectors, was held at the Auditorium of the ITS Research Center Building, Friday (12/9).

Starting his presentation, the Chief of Staff of the Navy, who is familiarly called Ali, conveyed the importance of developing Indonesia’s maritime industry as the largest archipelagic country in the world. He explained that the progress of Indonesia’s maritime industry and technology to protect Indonesia’s seas becomes very crucial because of Indonesia’s strategic geographical position at the crossroads of two continents and two oceans, so 40 percent of world trade passes through its waters.

Chief of Staff of the Navy Admiral TNI Dr. Muhammad Ali SE MM MTr Opsla while explaining the material The TNI AL’s Strategic Plan Towards 2045 Underwater Defense Strength

In his speech, the former Commander of the Type-209 Submarine explained several future maritime threats. Starting from military threats such as invasion and underwater sabotage, to non-military threats in the form of piracy, smuggling, and natural disasters, as well as hybrid threats such as cyber attacks and information warfare. In facing the complexity of these threats, Indonesia now has four active submarines which are considered still in need of being increased and developed.

As an anticipatory step, Ali stated that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Navy (AL) has prepared a plan to strengthen its underwater force by building submarines with modern technology, including lithium-ion batteries and advanced weapon systems, as well as the development of unmanned submarines and underwater surveillance systems. “The target is for Indonesia to have 12 submarines by 2044 in order to reach all the seas in every one of its islands,” he affirmed.

Chief of Staff of the Navy Admiral TNI Dr Muhammad Ali SE MM MTr Opsla (left), and ITS Rector Prof Dr Ir Bambang Pramujati ST MSc Eng PhD during the exchange of souvenirs

Regarding that, the Rector of ITS Prof Dr Ir Bambang Pramujati ST MSc Eng PhD expressed ITS’s full support for Indonesia’s maritime plan in enhancing Indonesia’s maritime defense through the development of underwater technology. He emphasized that ITS is ready to contribute not only through research and technology development, but also by preparing superior human resources in the marine and maritime fields.

Bambang also mentioned ITS’s form of commitment in supporting Indonesia’s maritime sector through the development of a maritime cluster center that will become a vessel for the downstreaming of various student innovations in the maritime field. Furthermore, ITS is also opening up space for synergy with industry and government, including with PT PAL and the TNI AL, in order to strengthen Indonesia’s self-reliance in underwater technology towards the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.

The leadership of the TNI AL and ITS together with the participants of the national seminar Future Underwater Technology in Indonesia’s Maritime Defense at the ITS Research Center Auditorium

Finally, the Professor from the ITS Mechanical Engineering Department also expressed his hope that this seminar will not only be a forum for discussion, but also a concrete step in building strategic cooperation. In addition, it is also hoped to be able to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point 17 concerning partnerships for the goals. “ITS is ready to contribute to the nation through a strategic partnership with the Navy in realizing maritime technology self-reliance,” said Bambang optimistically.

This seminar invited a number of speakers from the military, academia, and industry. Among them were Lt. Col. Laut Moh Akbar SH MH MMSc from Koarmada II, Dr. Kaharuddin Djeno MEng from PT PAL Indonesia, Dr. Ir Erwandi MEng from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Dr. Ir Adji Sularso from Paguyuban Bhinneka Kencana, to international representative Anthony Covarrubias from Naval Group. (ITS PUBLIC RELATIONS)

Reporter: Aulia Okta Wijaya