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Indonesia holds second meeting with CSSC on S26T submarine as China sweetens deal with destroyer

By Ridzwan Rahmat |

The People's Liberation Army Navy's Type 052D destroyer, Yinchuan, seen here entering Hong Kong waters. China has offered to supply Indonesia with a warship of this type should Jakarta proceed to procure the S26T submarine. (Roy Issa/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)

Officials from China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) have attended a second meeting with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) to discuss the former's offer of an S26T diesel-electric submarine (SSK) that was originally built for Thailand.

Documents provided to Janes by a source close to the matter indicate that the second meeting took place on 4 July at the MoD's office, which is located on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat in Jakarta.

At the meeting were senior officials from the MoD and the Indonesian Navy, though noticeably absent from the attendance list were any flag officers from the service.

Janes has also learnt that CSSC officials have now sweetened their offer to the MoD and will supply the Indonesian Navy with a Type 052D destroyer at a steeply discounted price should Jakarta procure the S26T SSK.

Janes first reported in January 2024 that China appears to be seeking a new buyer for the submarine, and the company has extended an invitation to the Indonesian Navy Chief, Admiral Muhammad Ali, to visit the facility where the boat is being built.

Given that this invitation was not responded to, CSSC secured an appointment to meet with Indonesian MoD officials on 28 June, where a formal presentation on this offer was made to senior MoD and Indonesian Navy officials.

As part of its offer, CSSC has prepared a modification package that would enable the S26T SSK to deploy and launch the Chinese-made YJ-18 torpedo tube-launched anti-ship cruise missile.

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