The debut of Indonesia’s first autonomous unmanned submarine during the 80th anniversary parade of the Indonesian Military (TNI) on October 5, 2025, has drawn widespread attention, signaling a new chapter in the nation’s defense technology.

Without prior fanfare, the vessel identified as KSOT-008 was showcased before President Prabowo Subianto, marking Indonesia’s entry into a technological frontier that only a handful of countries have achieved.

Developed by State-owned shipyard PT PAL Indonesia, the Autonomous Unmanned Submarine (KSOT) is designed to bolster Indonesia’s underwater defense capabilities. The vessel can operate for up to 72 hours underwater, reach a maximum speed of 20 knots, and cover a range of 200 nautical miles.

It can be armed with six Black Shark torpedoes and Exocet missiles, making it one of the most advanced indigenous naval assets ever produced in the country.

According to PT PAL Indonesia’s official statement, the KSOT project represents a milestone in Indonesia’s defense industry and reflects growing confidence from the TNI in locally developed military hardware.

“With continuous innovation including underwater technology, autonomous submarines, and reverse-engineered torpedoes, we aim to prove that Indonesian engineers are capable of meeting future defense challenges while upholding our nation’s maritime honor,” CEO of PT PAL Indonesia, Kaharuddin Djenod, said on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Djenod cited that the submarine operates through an Autonomous Submarine Command Center (ASCC), controlled remotely via radio frequency or satellite communication, allowing seamless integration with naval bases and command vessels.

He emphasized that the KSOT is not merely a symbol of military strength, but also a practical step toward achieving maritime security that benefits Indonesia’s broader population.

The introduction of KSOT-008 underscores government ambition to strengthen its domestic defense industry and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. It also signals a strategic pivot toward the use of AI-driven and unmanned military systems, positioning Indonesia among emerging regional players in autonomous defense technologies

The unveiling comes nearly three years after PT PAL announced the start of its autonomous submarine program in November 2022 during the Indo Defence Expo, when Djenod signed a memorandum of understanding with Alois Gnadl, Director of Sales for Southeast Asia at Diehl Defense, a Germany-based defense manufacturer.

PT PAL stated that the development was mandated by the Ministry of Defense, aiming to produce a high-impact, unmanned underwater combat vehicle. The collaboration with Diehl Defense includes joint production of underwater missiles, conducted domestically to increase local content (TKDN) and technological transfer.

“Instead of developing a basic underwater drone, we chose to create an autonomous submarine capable not only of surveillance and patrols, but also of offensive operations from beneath the sea,” Djenod said.

Germany’s long-standing expertise in submarine design and weapon systems made it a natural partner for the project, he added. The construction of KSOT-008 took around 12 months, adopting the tactical concept of a light attack submarine optimized for Indonesia’s archipelagic defense strategy.