JAKARTA : The Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has formally received two DRASS DS8 Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDVs) as part of the first phase of an ongoing procurement program aimed at strengthening the Indonesian Navy’s special operations capabilities. The submersibles, manufactured by Italian defense company DRASS, will be operated by KOPASKA (Komando Pasukan Katak), the elite frogman unit of the Indonesian Navy.
The newly delivered DS8 platforms will complement KOPASKA’s existing fleet of Swedish-built SEAL Carrier SDVs. According to defense officials, the introduction of the DS8 is intended to expand the unit’s operational capacity for underwater infiltration, maritime reconnaissance, intelligence collection, patrol missions, and asymmetric countermeasures across Indonesia’s coastal and littoral zones.
Platform Design and Configuration
The DRASS DS8 is classified as a “wet” swimmer delivery vehicle, meaning its crew operates in a flooded hull environment while remaining connected to onboard breathing and communication systems. The platform is specifically engineered for shallow-water and stealth operations in complex maritime environments.
The vehicle measures approximately 8.5 to 8.6 meters in length, with a beam of 1.6 meters and a height of 1.72 meters. Its empty weight ranges between 3,500 and 4,000 kilograms. The DS8 is configured to transport up to eight fully equipped personnel, including two pilots and six combat divers.
Operational depth for the DS8 is rated at a maximum safe depth of 50 meters of seawater (msw) with a crew onboard. Structurally, the platform can withstand depths of up to 100 msw during transit when transported by a larger surface vessel or submarine. Pressure-resistant components, designed to remain watertight at the 100-meter transit depth, are constructed from aluminum and stainless-steel containers.
Propulsion and Endurance
The DS8 is powered by an electrical propulsion system supported by a battery bank with a total capacity of 60 kWh. On the surface, the vehicle can reach speeds of 7 to 8 knots, depending on sea conditions. Submerged cruising speed is approximately 4.5 knots, with a maximum underwater speed of 6.5 knots.
An onboard compressed air system totaling 528 liters at 300 bar supports both crew breathing requirements and the ballast tank blowing subsystem. The pneumatic system enables buoyancy adjustments and emergency surfacing operations.
A pressure-resistant Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) located at the stern operates the vehicle’s maneuvering actuators, including the rudder, ballast ventilation valves, and the deployable sensor mast.
Navigation, Sensors, and Communications
The DS8 integrates an advanced navigation and platform control system developed by DRASS, incorporating electronic nautical charts and a 3D autopilot capability to assist with underwater navigation and route planning.
For surface observation while submerged, the vehicle is equipped with a 360-degree gyrostabilized optronic mast. This periscope suite includes daytime optics, thermal imaging, and CCTV capabilities.
The communication architecture consists of a dual-channel communication system. Inside the hull, crew members utilize an integrated wired communication network during underwater transit. Once divers detach from the platform, they switch to a wireless communication system designed for diver-to-diver and diver-to-vehicle coordination.
Payload Capacity and Combat Integration
The DS8 features a modular payload bay designed to transport combat equipment, naval mines, and general logistics. The standard configuration provides 250 liters of cargo volume. A High Load (HL) variant increases storage capacity to 500 liters, supporting approximately 280 kilograms of gear.
Through a partnership between DRASS and Leonardo, the DS8 can be configured with optional light torpedo launch capabilities. The platform accommodates two launch tubes for Leonardo’s Black Scorpion 5-inch light torpedoes. This integration provides a localized Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability, enabling engagement of fast-moving surface vessels, midget submarines, or unmanned underwater vehicles.
Operational Integration
With the addition of the DS8 platforms, KOPASKA’s underwater operational infrastructure receives a mechanical and systems-level update. The new vehicles are expected to operate in coordination with existing SEAL Carrier SDVs, expanding mission flexibility and logistical reach across Indonesia’s maritime domain.
The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has not disclosed the delivery schedule for the second phase of the procurement program or the total number of platforms planned under the acquisition framework.
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