Concept Moving Rapidly from Theory to Practice

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace highlighted its Vanguard naval system at LIMA 2023 in Langkawi, though in fact the concept, introduced in 2019, is moving distinctly from theory to practice in Indonesia.

Kongsberg is cooperating with Indonesia partners PT Lundin and PT PAL to develop an innovative unmanned surface vessel (USV) and mothership, following a cooperation agreement signed last November. The Indonesian Navy, which has been exploring unmanned technology step by step, is now bounding into the future, after awarding a contract for production of a prototype high-speed USV capable of carrying anti-ship missiles and a remote-controlled weapon station (RWS). A USV mock-up shown at LIMA 2023 depicted a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) mounted either side of the hull, plus a Protector RWS and sensor package.

PT Lundin is currently constructing the 33t USV, according to specifications provided by the Indonesian Navy, while PT PAL will produce the approximately 100m-long mothership – capable of carrying four USVs – at a future date. As for Kongsberg, it provides weapons and various shipboard and control systems. Addable are extra assets such as UAVs, autonomous underwater vehicles or containerised payloads such as a deployable sonar.

Lizza Lundin, Director of PT Lundin, told MON that the 19m-long composite constructed USV is capable of speeds of 50-60kt. She said the prototype would be completed in eight months’ time, at which point the Indonesian Navy would commence a series of trials. PT Lundin is well known for producing innovative naval vessels, including the Combat Boat X-18 – often referred to as the “tank boat” – that is now being evaluated by the Indonesian Army.

The Indonesian shipbuilder also manufactured the stealthy wave-piercing catamaran KRI Golok, which the Indonesian Navy brought to LIMA 2023 for the first time. Commissioned in January 2022, the vessel was designed by New Zealand naval architect LOMOcean. Lundin said the navy would evaluate the type, and she remains hopeful of more examples being ordered.

Indonesia refers to the USV as KSR, an abbreviation for ‘Light Attack Ship.’ This project represents a serious leap forward for the Indonesian Navy in terms of operationalising unmanned technology. Furthermore, it fits perfectly the concept of Kongsberg’s Vanguard system. Arild Skoge, Manager Marketing & Business Development, Integrated Defence Systems at Kongsberg, said the philosophy is to “cut the cost curve” by taking civilian technology where possible, and combining it with military technology when necessary. The use of commercial technologies, modularity and unmanned systems keeps costs down for cash-strapped navies, and the approach allows systems to be easily modernised and reconfigured for missions.

Gordon Arthur reporting from Langkawi