Indonesia’s recent acquisition of two Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) class vessels from Italy marks a significant step in modernizing its naval capabilities. The €1.18 billion contract with Fincantieri, signed in March 2024, involves two ships originally intended for the Italian Navy, now repurposed for Indonesia.
These PPA vessels, named KRI Brawijaya (320) and KRI Prabu Siliwangi (321), were officially renamed on January 29, 2025.
They are versatile ships designed for various missions, including anti-air and anti-surface warfare, making them valuable assets for Indonesia’s maritime security.
However, acquiring only two of these vessels may not sufficiently address the challenges faced by the Indonesian Navy. The current fleet includes several aging surface combatants that are increasingly understrength. For instance, the Van Speijk-class frigates, which have been in service since the 1960s, are long overdue for replacement. Relying on these outdated ships could compromise operational readiness and maritime defense capabilities.
Indonesia’s Minimum Essential Force (MEF) plan aims to develop a 274-ship fleet to safeguard its extensive maritime interests. Despite this ambitious goal, progress has been hindered by budget constraints and procurement challenges. The 2025 budget allocates only 20 trillion rupiah (approximately US$1.32 billion) to the Navy, representing less than 15% of the overall defense budget. This limited funding poses significant obstacles to fleet modernization and expansion efforts.
To effectively enhance its naval capabilities, Indonesia must consider a more substantial investment in new vessels. This includes not only acquiring additional PPA-class ships but also exploring large frigate and destroyer options. Diversifying the fleet with advanced surface combatants will provide greater operational flexibility and strengthen maritime security.
Furthermore, prioritizing the replacement of obsolete ships is crucial. Decommissioning aging vessels and expediting the procurement of modern replacements will ensure that the Navy maintains a robust and capable presence in its territorial waters.
Discussions have been underway with Japan regarding the potential co-production of Mogami-class frigates, known for their stealth capabilities. Indonesia initiated the construction of the Merah Putih (Red White) frigates, based on the Arrowhead 140 design. The keel for the second Merah Putih frigate was laid in November 2024. Indonesia signed a contract with Fincantieri for the procurement of six FREMM-class frigates, although the finalization of this deal remains pending.
While diversifying the fleet can offer operational flexibility, the current approach may lead to several challenges:
- Logistical Complexity: Managing multiple ship classes necessitates varied training programs, maintenance procedures, and spare parts inventories, complicating logistics and increasing operational costs.
- Budgetary Strain: Allocating funds across different platforms can dilute financial resources, potentially hindering the comprehensive modernization of the fleet.
- Interoperability Issues: Integrating various systems and technologies from different countries can pose challenges in communication and operational coherence.
Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening its naval capabilities is commendable. However, a more cohesive and standardised approach to procurement would likely yield better long-term results, ensuring a modern, efficient, and effective naval force capable of safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests in response to China’s growing territorial ambitions in the region.
