ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia officially signed a contract for the procurement of two frigates of the type FREMM (Frigate European Multi-Mission). The procurement of this warship is part of the modernization of the main strategic defense system (alutsista) to maintain state sovereignty in Indonesian waters.
Based on this agreed contract, the plan is to deliver the first ship in October 2024, while the second ship is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia in April 2025.
“The success of this contract negotiation is a concrete manifestation of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense’s efforts to ensure that national maritime defense needs can be met optimally,” as quoted in a press release, Thursday, April 18 2024.
Fincantieri S.p.A, a well-known shipbuilding company from Italy, is trusted as the provider and is carrying out the construction of the two frigates at its shipyard in Trieste, Italy.
The ship ordered is the Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) type which has multi-mission capabilities and is equipped with the latest technology.
The ship has a length of 143 meters and a ship width of around 16.5 meters, Displacement 6,250 Tons (Full Load) Max speed ≥ 30 Knots, Endurance 5000 NM and armed with an Aster 15 surface to air missile (SAM) system and launcher vertical DCNS Silver A43. The Aster 15 SAM missile system can be installed on various types of warships, such as frigates, destroyers or aircraft carriers.
Apart from that, this ship is also armed with a 127mm Vulcano cannon, a 76mm Strales cannon, a 25mm light cannon equipped with a Fire-Control Radar (FCR) RTN 10X Dardo system, Electronic Warfare RECM, RESM and CESM, Tactical Data Link-Y and Multifunction Radar Leonardo Kronos.
The procurement of this ship was also accompanied by a comprehensive offset package, which includes various aspects such as consultation on shipyard development, long-term business strategy, physical improvements to the shipyard, delivery of didactic material, as well as a six-month classroom training course in Italy. In addition, support for shipyard modernization asset management, management training, simulator training centers, development of training pathways at Defense Universities, as well as the formation of local expert teams for the development of direct and indirect opportunities are also included in the offset package.
The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has fulfilled all the conditions necessary for the effectiveness and validity period of the contract. Fincantieri S.p.A. has also received approval from OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d’Armement / Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation) Italy and the Italian Navy for the sale of the ship to Indonesia.
The procurement of two frigates of the FREMM type is a step forward for the Indonesian Ministry of Defense in realizing strong maritime defense.
It is hoped that the arrival of these ships will further increase the Indonesian Navy’s ability to maintain regional sovereignty and make a significant contribution to regional security stability. (AT Network)
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