PT PAL to Build Submarine Infrastructure in 2016

Malang (Antara) - President Director of state-owned PT PAL Indonesia said it will build submarine infrastructure in 2016 before it builds submarines for the defense ministry. \"First we will build infrastructure. With the infrastructure we could build more submarines in the future,\" Arifin said here on Saturday. He said submarines are vital for the country\'s defense as seas make up most of the country\'s territory our country. \"Indonesia needs at least 12 units of submarine. Currently we have only a few and they are all outdated,\" he said. He said currently Indonesia has two units submarine in the process of in South Korea and one to be produced in Indonesia. \"The two units are being built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) of South Korea. One will be built by PT PAL Indonesia,\" he said. Therefore, PT will build a number of units of infrastructure that in the future it could build more submarine and no longer dependent on foreign countries, he said. Earlier, PT PAL has received an injection of Rp1.5 trillion as capital participation by the government to build three units of submarine . The project has been approved by the Commission VI and Commission I of the Parliament. A number of technician have been sent to South Korea to take part in the process of building the two units by Daewoo. Arifin said he hopes PT PAL Indonesia would contribute to strengthening the country\'s defense in the sea. (*)