Indonesian Navy

The official Indonesian Navy's history began on 10 September 1945, at the outset of the Indonesian National Revolution. The administration of the early Indonesian government established the People's Marine Security Agency (Badan Keamanan Rakyat Laut/ BKR Laut) on 22 August 1945, the predecessor to the modern Indonesian Navy. BKR Laut with only wooden ships, a few landing craft and weapons left by Japan, was initially composed of Indonesian sailors who had served in the ranks of the Royal Netherlands Navy during the Dutch colonial period, and who had fought the Japanese during the years of military occupation, plus active militias who served with the Japanese and ex-Indonesian officers and ratings of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The formation of the Indonesian military organisation known as the People's Security Army (Tentara Keamanan Rakyat / TKR) on 5 October 1945, at the height of the National Revolution, helped spur the further existence of the TKR Naval Branch – the Peoples' Security Navy (TLKR), which later became the Republic of Indonesia Navy (Angkatan Laut Republik Indonesia / ALRI). The name ALRI was used until 1970, when it was changed to Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL).[3]

As the revolution grew and the Navy began its work, naval bases were established throughout the archipelago. Former ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy handed down to the new republic were acquired. Simple strength did not discourage the Navy to deploy Sea Traffic Operations in order to spread the news of the proclamation and helping to form and train Republican military forces and militias nationwide. Besides, they also attempted to breach the Dutch naval blockade in order to obtain aid from abroad.

The newly formed navy confronted the more superior Royal Netherlands Navy in Bali, Sibolga and Cirebon. Cross-sea operations are also able to prepare the armed forces in South Kalimantan, Bali and Sulawesi. Limitations in strength and ability to lead the Navy had to divert the struggle in the countryside, after most boats were sunk and nearly all bases battered by the Dutch and Allied military forces. But the determination to participate again in the sea never subsided. In the hard times during the National Revolution the Navy succeeded in forming the Fleet Forces (CA), Marine Corps (Corps Mariniers/ CM), and educational institutions in various places. The formation of these elements mark the presence of aspects for the formation of a modern national navy.

Grumman HU-16 Albatross of the naval aviation, 1950s–1960s

The end of the War of Independence marked the development of the Navy as a modern naval power. In accordance to the results of the Round Table Conference, in 1949, the Navy received a variety of war equipment such as warships and its supporting facilities such as naval bases. This step in the consolidation of the body along with the Navy, revamping the organization and recruitment of personnel through educational institutions before manning naval equipment. During 1949–1959, the Indonesian Navy managed to enhance its strength and improve its capabilities. In the field of organization the navy reorganized its Fleet Forces, the Marine Corps – then Korps Komando Angkatan Laut (KKO-AL – Naval Commando Corps Command), naval aviation and a number of regions as territorial defense command aspects of the sea. Navy combat equipment grew, both from the Dutch and from other various countries.

With the increased strength and the capability, the Navy began refining the strategy, tactics, and techniques of marine operations, which are directly applied in a variety of military operations in order to deal with separatist movements that have sprung up in the year from 1950 to 1959. In operations against PRRI in Sumatra, Permesta , Darul Islam in West Java, and RMS in the Moluccas, the Navy gained lessons in applying the concept of marine operations, amphibious operations, and joint operations with other forces.

KRI Pasopati, a Whiskey-class submarine which is now a museum ship

At the time the country started to recover from the threat of disintegration, in 1959, the Navy launched a program known as Menuju Angkatan Laut yang Jaya (rough translation – "Towards A Distinguished Navy"). The Navy experienced a significant progress until 1965 which was motivated by the politics of confrontation in order to seize West Irian, which Indonesia claimed as part of its territory, a claim refuted by the Dutch government. As part of the increasing military ties between Indonesia and the Warsaw Pact, various naval combat equipments from Eastern European countries strengthened the Navy and become the dominant force at the time. Some military equipment of Soviet production served in the ranks of the Navy, among others Sverdlov-class cruiser, Skoryy-class destroyer, Riga-class frigate, Whiskey-class submarine (the first such vessels to be used in Southeast Asia), Komar-class missile boat, Ilyushin Il-28 long-range bomber aircraft of Naval Aviation and the PT-76 Amphibious light tanks, BTR-50 APCs and BM-14 MRLs (Southeast Asia's first ever MRL system in service) of the Commando Corps, the first of their kind in the region. With such power in the era of the 1960s the Navy was called the largest Navy in Southeast Asia and one of the strongest within the Asia-Pacific, outranking those of its neighbors in armament and prestige.

By January 1962 the Indonesian Navy started preparing a couple of naval operations for the liberation of West Irian known as Operation Trikora, which began on 15 December the year before as part of the military component of that operation under the Mandala Command for the Liberation of West Irian (Komando Mandala Pembebasan Irian Barat) . Beginning 1 January, fast-ship torpedo vessels of the Navy were forward deployed to deal with destroyers, frigates and aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Navy. On January 15, 1962 Commodore Yos Sudarso along with RI Matjan Tutul sank in the sea battle in the Arafura Sea. This battle is known as the Vlakke Hoek incident. By mid-year the Navy was preparing to organize its role in the planned Operation Jayawijaya which would have been the largest amphibious operation in the history of Indonesian military operations if commenced. The naval component was made up of 100 warships and 16,000 sailors and Marines. The deployment of forces preparatory to the planned landings in West Papua forced the Dutch to return to negotiations and reached an agreement to hand over West Irian to Indonesia.

After seizing West Irian, Sukarno by 1963 moved his sights on Malaysia. Indonesia political confrontation against Neocolonialism and Imperialism (Nekolim) continued in Operation Dwikora to oppose the formation of Malaysia. Although elements of the National Armed Forces were prepared for operational deployments to the new state, the operations were limited to the infiltration operation along the Borneo frontier. Soldiers from the marine corps were involved in the operations which targeted both the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. The Marine Corps, though, would figure in the 1964 MacDonald House bombing in Singapore.

An Indonesian Imam Bondjol-class in late 1950s

Operation Dwikora was discontinued in 1965 along with a succession of governments in Indonesia after an abortive coup d'état[4] took place in Jakarta, which were organized by the self-proclaimed organization of Indonesian National Armed Forces members who, in the early hours of 1 October 1965, assassinated six Indonesian Army generals and killed 3 more. Since 1966, the Navy experienced a new chapter in its history as the military integration efforts. With the integration of the armed forces organizationally and operationally been able to keep up on the implementation of tasks in the field of defense and security so doctrinally, the direction of development of the power and capabilities of each branch to be concentrated. The operations were prominent during the period of the 1970s was Operation Seroja in the framework of the integration of East Timor to Indonesia. The Navy played an active role in the operation of landings, a joint ground operation, and transporting troops by sea.

Indonesian frigate KRI Karel Satsuit Tubun (356) part of the Indonesian phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)

Starting the 1980s the Navy began to modernize combat equipment. Ships made in Eastern Europe that has been the core strength of the Navy in the era of the 1960s and 1970s were not suited to meet the growing and changing needs for the navy and its branches (saving for its submarines and several corvettes and frigates, the submarines were retired in 1990). The worsening relations between Indonesia and the Soviet Union after the government of President Sukarno resulted a cessation of military cooperation between the two countries and the Warsaw Pact. Therefore, the Navy switched once more to using Western technology to modernize the power and ability to buy warships, logistics vessels and other major combat equipment from various countries. Included among those commissioned during the Suharto presidency were Fatahillah-class corvette and Ahmad Yani-class frigate from the Netherlands, Cakra-class submarine from West Germany, fast patrol boat from South Korea, and the GAF Nomad patrol aircraft from Australia. In 1993 the Navy also received 39 ships from the former Volksmarine (East German Navy), including 16 Parchim-class corvettes, 14 Frosch-class landing ship tanks (LSTs), and 9 Kondor II-class minessweepers. Aside from these the Navy reorganized its forces. In 1984, as part of an-Armed Forces wide unit reorganization, the former Naval Regions, which in turn governed Naval Bases and Naval Districts and subordinate Naval Stations and Naval Air Stations, were turned into Main Naval Bases of the Navy Fleet Commands, divided from the formerly unified National Fleet Command on the basis of the Western and Eastern Squadrons of the Fleet. The National Fleet Command by the late 1960s was briefly split into two operational fleets – the Ocean Fleet Force (for defense operations abroad) and the Archipelago Fleet (for local defense operations within Indonesia), until these were fused into a unified command in 1970.

KRI Cut Nyak Dhien (375)

At the same time the Navy began to develop a non-combat military operations in the form of humanitarian service program Surya Bhaskara Jaya in various remote areas in Indonesia that can only be reached by sea. The core of the operating activities are health services, construction and rehabilitation of public facilities and various counseling in health, law, and civil defense. This event is held regularly every year until now. A number of countries also participated in these activities, among others, Singapore, Australia and the United States. The navy also seeks promoting the development of the maritime sector, especially those related to aspects of defense and security at sea, activities that had been present since independence before the formation of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The actual activities undertaken today by the Navy are establishing marine development assessment bodies together with the government and private sectors in some areas, coastal village pilot programs are summarized in Coastal Rural Development (Bindesir), and the National Potential Development Program for Maritime Defense (Binpotnaskuatmar). In order to encourage the spirit of the seafaring nation, the Navy held an international scale maritime event Arung Samudera 1995. The navy was responsible for the programs for National Maritime Year 1996 and the Bunaken Declaration of 1998, which is a manifestation of marine development in Indonesia.

KRI Bung Tomo (357) & KRI Usman Harun (359) of the Bung Tomo-class

During the presidencies of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo, the Navy has begun a program of expansion of its combat commands and has begun a program of national warship construction in naval arsenals, while acquiring nationally produced transport aircraft for the needs of the Navy.

• 

  The current Chief of Staff of the Navy, Laksamana (Admiral) Muhammad Ali
  Chief of Staff of the Navy (Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut), position held by a four-star Admiral or Marine General; and
• Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy (Wakil Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut), position held by a three-star Vice Admiral or Marine Lieutenant General.

The following positions of the leadership supports are equivalent to a naval Staff organization.

• Inspectorate General of the Navy (Inspektorat Jenderal TNI Angkatan Laut), position held by two-star Rear Admiral;
• Advisory Staffs to the Navy Chief of Staff (Staf Ahli Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut), position held by two-star Rear Admiral or one-star Commodore;
  • Advisory Staff Coordinator (Koordinator Staf Ahli Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut);
  • Advisor to the Navy Chief of Staff on State Resources and Defense (Staf Ahli Bidang Sumber Daya & Pertahanan Negara);
  • Advisor to the Navy Chief of Staff on National Territorial Affairs (Staf Ahli Bidang Kewilayahan Nasional);
  • Advisor to the Navy Chief of Staff on Social and Legal Affairs (Staf Ahli Bidang Sosial, Hukum, & Perundangan);
  • Advisor to the Navy Chief of Staff on Economic and Management (Staf Ahli Bidang Ekonomi & Manajemen);
  • Advisor to the Navy Chief of Staff on Documents, Strategy, and Operations (Staf Ahli Bidang Dokumen, Strategi, & Operasi);
  • Advisor to the Navy Chief of Staff on Science and Technology (Staf Ahli Bidang Ilmu Pengetahuan & Teknologi).
• Naval Planning and Budgeting Staff (Staf Perencanaan dan Anggaran TNI Angkatan Laut);
• Naval Intelligence Staff (Staf Intelijen TNI Angkatan Laut);
• Naval Operations Staff (Staf Operasi TNI Angkatan Laut);
• Naval Personnel Staff (Staf Personalia TNI Angkatan Laut);
• Naval Logistics Staff (Staf Logistik TNI Angkatan Laut);
• Naval Maritime Potentials Staff (Staf Potensi Maritim TNI Angkatan Laut); and
• Naval Communication and Electronics Staff (Staf Komunikasi dan Elektronika TNI Angkatan Laut).

An Indonesian Naval Academy recruiting poster

The following agencies are central executive agencies, directly subordinated under the Navy Headquarters.

Academies and Schools

1. 

   Cadets of the Indonesian Naval Academy
   Indonesian Naval Academy (Akademi TNI Angkatan Laut);
2. Naval Staff and Command College (Sekolah Staf dan Komando Angkatan Laut); and
3. Naval Technological College (Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi TNI Angkatan Laut).

Centers

1. Naval Aviation Center (Pusat Penerbangan Angkatan Laut);
2. Naval Military Police Center (Pusat Polisi Militer TNI Angkatan Laut); and
3. Naval Frogman Forces Command (Komando Pasukan Katak TNI Angkatan Laut).

Services

1. Naval Security and Cipher Service (Dinas Pengamanan dan Persandian TNI Angkatan Laut);
2. Naval Public Relations Service (Dinas Penerangan TNI Angkatan Laut);
3. Naval Communications and Electronic Systems Service (Dinas Komunikasi dan Elektronika TNI Angkatan Laut);
4. Naval Justice Service (Dinas Hukum TNI Angkatan Laut);
5. Naval Operations and Training Service (Dinas Operasi dan Latihan TNI Angkatan Laut);
6. Naval Maritime Potentials Service (Dinas Potensi Maritim TNI Angkatan Laut);
7. Naval Personnel Administration Service (Dinas Administrasi Personal TNI Angkatan Laut);
8. Naval Education Service (Dinas Pendidikan TNI Angkatan Laut);
9. Naval Personnel Maintenance Service (Dinas Perawatan Personel TNI Angkatan Laut);
10. Naval Medical Service (Dinas Kesehatan TNI Angkatan Laut);
11. Naval Materiel Service (Dinas Materiil TNI Angkatan Laut);
12. Naval Weapons and Electronics Materiel Service (Dinas Materiil Senjata dan Elektronika TNI Angkatan Laut);
13. Naval Seaworthiness Service (Dinas Kelaikan TNI Angkatan Laut);
14. Naval Base Facilities Service (Dinas Fasilitas Pangkalan TNI Angkatan Laut);
15. Naval Procurement Service (Dinas Pengadaan TNI Angkatan Laut);
16. Naval Logistics Service (Dinas Pembekalan TNI Angkatan Laut);
17. Naval Finance Service (Dinas Keuangan TNI Angkatan Laut);
18. Naval Research and Development Service (Dinas Penelitian dan Pengembangan TNI Angkatan Laut);
19. Naval Information and Data Processing Service (Dinas Informasi dan Pengolahan Data TNI Angkatan Laut);
20. Naval Psychology Service (Dinas Psikologi TNI Angkatan Laut);
21. Naval Historical Heritage Service (Dinas Sejarah TNI Angkatan Laut); and
22. Naval Mental Guidance and Chaplaincy Service (Dinas Pembinaan Mental TNI Angkatan Laut).

MBB Bo 105 of the Naval Aviation landing on the flight deck of USS Fort Worth

The Indonesian Naval Aviation Center (Pusat Penerbangan Angkatan Laut – Puspenerbal) is a part of the Navy's Central Executive Agencies led by a Rear Admiral. Puspenerbal serves as the center of guidance to the Navy's aviation units in the field of personnel as well as the readiness of air elements in support of the main missions of the Navy. Indonesian Naval Aviation is not just a combat unit, but also participates in various Marine Corps operational duties as well as providing logistics and personnel tactical transport facilities for marine and airbase systems. In carrying out these tasks, Puspenerbal carries out flight functions which include: Air surveillance, anti-submarine, fast logistics support, maritime patrol, marine combat operations, and the provision of material coaching functions. This unit is in charge of supporting naval operations, both for combat operations, SAR operations and humanitarian relief operations during times of calamities. Marine security to monitor the movement of foreign ships, especially in the archipelagic sea lanes of Indonesia, environmental protection from the pollution of dangerous materials, the prevention of smuggling and theft of marine wealth is also an important mission carried by Puspenerbal, in cooperation with other air force elements such as TNI-AU and Police. One of the most famous acts of Navy aircraft in the 21st century was when they were involved in evacuating victims of the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake.

KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332) and KRI Bontang (907) performing replenishment at sea

1. Indonesian Fleet Command (Komando Armada Republik Indonesia – Koarmada RI). The Navy's military strength are spread across several Main Naval Bases (Pangkalan Utama TNI Angkatan Laut – Lantamal) and Naval Bases (Pangkalan TNI Angkatan Laut – Lanal) throughout Indonesia, these bases and the regional base commands fall under the direct supervision of the fleet commanders' office. Navy Headquarters assigned the numbering of Main Naval Base I to XI according to its respective geographical location from west to east on 1 August 2006 in line with the inauguration of the Teluk Bayur Naval Base in Padang, West Sumatra into Main Naval Base II. In 2015, three Naval Base were upgraded to Main Naval Base with the numbering of XII, XIII and XIV. Each Main Naval Base is organized into a number of naval bases and naval stations plus a number of Naval Air Stations (Pangkalan Udara Angkatan Laut – Lanudal). The Fleet Command is led by a three-star Vice Admiral and responsible for all the three fleet commands.
   • 1st Fleet Command (Komando Armada I – Koarmada I) based in Tanjung Uban, Bintan Regency in Riau Islands, coterminous with Army's KODAM Jayakarta, KODAM Iskandar Muda, KODAM I/Bukit Barisan, KODAM II/Sriwijaya, KODAM III/Siliwangi, and KODAM XII/Tanjungpura, as well as Air Force's 1st Operational Command West.[6]
   • 2nd Fleet Command (Komando Armada II – Koarmada II based in Surabaya, coterminous with Army's KODAM IV/Diponegoro, KODAM V/Brawijaya, KODAM VI/Mulawarman, KODAM IX/Udayana, KODAM XIII/Merdeka, and KODAM XIV/Hasanuddin, as well as Air Force's 2nd Operation Command Central.
   • 3rd Fleet Command (Komando Armada 3 – Koarmada 3) based in Sorong, coterminous with Air Force's 3rd Operational Command East and Army's KODAM XVI/Pattimura, KODAM XVII/Cenderawasih, and KODAM XVIII/Kasuari.[7]
2. Naval Hydro-Oceanographic Center (Pusat Hidro-Oseanografi TNI Angkatan Laut);
3. Indonesian Marine Corps (Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia – Kormar RI), with three Marine Forces and an independent Marine Brigade plus support units;
4. Naval Doctrine, Education, and Training Development Command (Komando Pengembangan Doktrin, Pendidikan, dan Latihan TNI Angkatan Laut – Kodiklatal):
   • Naval Operation Education Command (Komando Pendidikan Operasi Laut);
   • Marine Corps Education Command (Komando Pendidikan Marinir);
   • Naval Support Training Command (Komando Pendidikan Dukungan Umum);
   • Basic Military Training and Education Centre (Pusat Latihan dan Pendidikan Dasar Kemiliteran);
   • Electronics and Naval Weapon Guidance System Training Centre (Pusat Latihan Elektronika dan Sistem Kendali Senjata);
   • Naval Operation Training Centre (Pusat Latihan Operasi Laut); and
   • Marine Corps Training Centre (Pusat Latihan Marinir).
5. Military Sealift Command (Komando Lintas Laut Militer – Kolinlamil) coordinates the navy's logistical assets in support of its personnel.
   • Military Sealift Force Jakarta
   • Military Sealift Force Surabaya
   • Military Sealift Force Makassar

KRI Banda Aceh (593)

Each of the 3 Fleet Commands are led by Rear Admirals as commanding officers with Commodores as chiefs of staff and executive officers, and are organized into:

Indonesian naval bases as of 2020

• Main Naval Bases, commanded by a Commodore or Brigadier General (Marine Corps)
• Naval Bases (Type B), commanded by a Colonel (Navy / Marine Corps)
• Naval Bases (Type C), commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel (Navy / Marine Corps)
• Naval Bases (Type D), commanded by a Major (Navy / Marine Corps)
• Naval Stations
  • Naval Stations Type A, commanded by a Captain (Navy / Marine Corps)
  • Naval Stations Type B, commanded by a First Lieutenant (Navy / Marine Corps)
  • Naval Stations Type C, commanded by a Second Lieutenant (Navy / Marine Corps)
• Naval Maintenance and Repair Facilities, with similar organization as in regular naval bases
• Naval Air Stations, with similar organization as in regular naval bases, but report to the Naval Aviation Center

The Main Naval Base organization additionally contains a naval security unit and an administrative regiment of one naval police battalion and one Marine Corps base defense battalion.

Indonesian Marines

The Indonesian Marine Corps (Indonesian: Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia) officially known as KORMAR RI, "Marinir" or "Korps Marinir" is an integral part of the TNI-AL. It is sized at the military corps level serving as the Naval Infantry and main amphibious warfare force of the TNI. Distinguished from other TNI-AL members by their unique qualification badges and insignia and unique magenta berets. It is commanded by a two-star ranked officer. It has three divisions, which are:

• Pasukan Marinir I (PASMAR I) (Marine Force I) based in Jakarta.
• Pasukan Marinir II (PASMAR II) (Marine Force II) based in Surabaya.
• Pasukan Marinir III (PASMAR III) (Marine Force III) based in Sorong.[8]

The three marine divisions are each led by a one star ranked officer.

KOPASKA special forces

Formed on 31 March 1962, the Indonesian Navy Frogman Forces Command (Komando Pasukan Katak) or Kopaska is a Frogman unit of the TNI-AL. There are three fleet frogmnan units with detachments specializing in sabotage / anti-sabotage (terror), special operations, combat SAR, EOD and naval minesweeping, underwater demolition and special boat units. KOPASKA's main duties are underwater demolition (raiding enemy ships and bases), destroying main underwater installations, reconnaissance, prisoner snatches, preparing beaches for larger naval amphibious operations, and counter-terrorism. In peacetime the unit deploys a seven-person team to serve as security personnel for VIPs. They wear the maroon beret.[9]

Taifib personnel during training exercise

The Marine amphibious reconnaissance battalions (Batalyon Intai Amfibi) or Yontaifib is an elite recon unit within the Indonesian Marine Corps which is tasked for conducting Amphibious reconnaissance and Special reconnaissance. Taifib was previously known as "Kipam" (abbreviation from: "Komando Intai Para Amfibi") which literally means in English: the Para-Amphibious reconnaissance Commandos.

They were officially formed on 13 March 1961 as marine commandos in response to Operation Trikora.[10] Set at a regimental strength of three battalions, "Taifib" was formed as the elite amphibious reconnaissance unit of the Marine Corps, and as a unit of that formation wears magenta berets.

Jala Mangkara Detachment personnel

Jala Mangkara Detachment (Detasemen Jala Mangkara) or Denjaka is the special operations and counter-terrorism forces of the Indonesian Navy. This is a combined detachment formed from selected personnel of the Navy's Underwater Special Unit (Kopaska) and the Marine Corps' Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion (Taifib). The unit was formed in 1984 by the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces to counter maritime strategic threats including terrorism and sabotage. Despite the specific reason for its formation, as in the case of any other special operations forces around the world, the detachment is also fully trained in conducting reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and clandestine behind-enemy-lines operations. Denjaka's primary task is to develop anti-terrorism, anti-sabotage and other clandestine operations capabilities in support of maritime counter-terrorism, counter-sabotage and other special operations as directed by the commander of the armed forces. Denjaka personnel wear the purple beret.