"INDONESIA-FRANCE DEFENCE COOPERATION: STRENGTHENING NAVAL POWER WITH S" by Ruben Firman Ardiansyah, I Gede Wahyu Widnyana et al.
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Abstract

This study examines Indonesia’s submarine procurement cooperation with France, analysing whether it provides the appropriate amount of power to ensure Indonesia’s survival amid the great power rivalry in the Indo-Pacific region. Using a descriptive qualitative method, the research applies the framework of defensive realism to examine the power to survive. The findings suggest that Indonesia’s choice of the Scorpene-class submarine aligns with its primary security objective. The advanced lithium-ion technology in these submarines offers superior operational endurance and stealth capabilities compared to the conventional submarine technology provided by South Korea and Turkey. The Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement with France allows Indonesia to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers by building submarines domestically through PT PAL. Furthermore, Indonesia’s submarine possession and future procurement plans are unlikely to disrupt the current distribution of power in the region significantly. By adopting a strategy focused on survival rather than aggression or dominance, Indonesia ensures its sovereignty is protected while avoiding escalating regional conflicts

Bahasa Abstract

Tulisan ini meneliti kerja sama pengadaan kapal selam Indonesia dengan Perancis, dengan menganalisis apakah kerja sama tersebut menyediakan jumlah daya yang tepat untuk memastikan kelangsungan hidup Indonesia di tengah persaingan kekuatan besar di kawasan Indo-Pasifik. Dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif, penelitian ini menerapkan kerangka realisme defensif untuk meneliti kekuatan untuk bertahan. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pilihan Indonesia terhadap kapal selam kelas Scorpene sejalan dengan tujuan utamanya, yaitu keamanan. Teknologi lithium-ion di kapal selam ini menawarkan daya tahan operasional dan kemampuan siluman yang unggul dibandingkan dengan teknologi kapal selam konvensional yang ditawarkan oleh Korea Selatan dan Turki. Perjanjian Transfer Teknologi (ToT) dengan Prancis memungkinkan Indonesia untuk mengurangi ketergantungan pada pemasok asing dengan membangun kapal selam di dalam negeri melalui PT PAL. Lebih jauh, kepemilikan kapal selam Indonesia dan rencana pengadaan di masa mendatang tidak mungkin mengganggu distribusi daya saat ini di kawasan tersebut secara signifikan. Dengan mengadopsi strategi yang berfokus pada kelangsungan hidup daripada agresi atau dominasi, Indonesia memastikan kedaulatannya dilindungi sambil menghindari eskalasi konflik regional.

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