The Indonesian Government is likely to finalise a $1bn deal with South Korea for the purchase of three Type 209 submarines during the South Korean defence minister’s visit to Jakarta.
The South Korean ministry officials said Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine would be chosen as the preferred bidder for Indonesia’s submarine acquisition programme if the deal is sealed.
“The Type 209 submarine, which the Indonesian Government is willing to purchase, was first developed by the Germans in the early 1970s and Korea bought the technology licence to produce it in the beginning stage.” the JoongAng Ilbo quotes a defence official as saying.
The 1,400t Type 209 vessel is a class of diesel-electric attack submarine and can be armed with eight bow 533mm torpedo tubes and 14 torpedoes.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim will visit Indonesia from 7-9 September 2011.
