The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) is receiving a boost to its upper-end capabilities as it inducts two new classes of frigates. Beginning the charge, the first of four frigates, KRI Brawijaya, was commissioned in Mugiano, Italy on 2 July.
KRI Brawijaya (pennant number ‘320’) is the first of two PPA warships manufactured by Fincantieri, originally destined for the Italian Navy but later sold to Jakarta. The second PPA, christened Prabu Siliwangi (‘321’) is currently being prepared for delivery to the TNI-AL, and it is expected to reach its new home in December this year.
The Italian Navy euphemistically calls these PPAs offshore patrol vessels, but their 4,912-tonne displacement should more fittingly be categorised as that of a frigate. Indeed, these will be the Indonesian Navy’s largest surface combatants.
After its expected arrival in September, the first 143m-long warship will serve in the 2nd Fleet Command headquartered in Surabaya.
Indonesia signed a US$1.39 billion procurement contract for these two frigates in March 2024. Their weapons include a 127mm naval gun and sensors comprise a Leonardo Kronos radar, Elt Roma Zeus electronic jammer, and Saab communications and electronic support measures.
These two PPAs were built in Light+ configuration, but Jakarta is interested in upgrading them to Full configuration and to install Aster 30 air defence missiles. If Indonesia wants further PPAs, Fincantieri has expressed willingness for these to be constructed in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL is constructing a second class of frigate at its Surabaya shipyard. PT PAL was awarded this contract to build a pair of Red White Frigates (known locally as the Fregat Merah Putih) in April 2020. Significantly, these are the most sophisticated warships that PT PAL has ever attempted.
The Red White Frigate is based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, although around 60% of the reference design was altered in order to meet Indonesian requirements.
PT PAL showed a scale model of the frigate design at Indo Defence 2025 in Jakarta. Each frigate measures 140m long, while the design displaces 5,996 tonnes. The vessel has a crew of 177.
The keel for the first Red White Frigate was laid on 25 August 2023, and it should be launched before the end of 2025. The second vessel’s keel was laid on 15 November 2024 (four months ahead of schedule), and it will launch in 2026.
Reflecting warm ties between Indonesia and Turkey, it was decided to fit a host of Turkish weapons and sensors on these frigates. These include the Roketsan MİDLAS universal vertical launch system (with 64 cells) for air defence missiles and Atmaca anti-ship missiles; the Aselsan Kartaca-N 130mm decoy launching system; Aselsan Cenk 400-N, Mete Han and Mar-D radars; the Havelsan Advent combat management system; the Aselsan Fersah 100-N/MF hull-mounted sonar; Aselsan Akrep fire control radar; and Aselsan target designation sights.
Other armaments, when fully installed, are two Leonardo 76mm Super Rapid naval guns, a Rheinmetall Millennium 35mm close-in weapon system, four Leonardo Lionfish 12.7mm remote weapon stations, and two Leonardo B515/3 triple torpedo launchers.
by Gordon Arthur
