Balaputradewa-class frigate

KRI Balaputradewa at its launching
Class overview
NameBalaputradewa-class frigate
BuildersPT PAL Indonesia
Operators Indonesian Navy
Preceded byMartadinata-class frigate
SubclassesType 31 frigate
Built2022–present
Planned4
Building2
Completed0
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement6,626 t (6,521 long tons) (full)
Length140 m (459 ft 4 in)
Beam19.75 m (64 ft 10 in)
PropulsionCODAD propulsion system
Speed28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Range9,000 nmi (17,000 km; 10,000 mi)
Endurance21 days
Complement143
Sensors &
processing systems
  • CMS:
  • Havelsan ADVENT CMS
  • Radar:
  • Aselsan CENK 350-N (Mete Han) multi-function phased array radar
  • Aselsan CENK 400-N surveillance radar
  • Aselsan AKR-D fire control radar
  • Aselsan MAR-D helicopter control radar
  • Sonar:
  • Aselsan FERSAH hull mounted sonar
  • IFF:
  • Leonardo IFF system
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • Elettronica RESM and RECM
  • Aselsan HIZIR torpedo countermeasures system
  • 2 × 8 130 mm Aselsan KARTACA-N decoy launcher systems
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × medium-sized helicopter
Aviation facilitieshelicopter deck and hangar
NotesSource[1] [2]

The Balaputradewa-class frigate (previously known as Fregat Merah Putih, lit. 'Red White Frigate')[3] is a class of frigates being built for the Indonesian Navy. Under construction by PAL Indonesia, it is based on the Odense Maritime Technology (OMT) Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate hull and is marketed under the name Arrowhead 140 or Type 31 Frigate.[4][5] The design was first licensed to Indonesia in September 2021.[6][7]

History

Ministry of Defense of Indonesia awarded a contract of two frigates to the local state-owned shipyard PT PAL Indonesia on 30 April 2020. The contract stipulated that the frigates would be constructed within 69 months after contract's entry into force.[8]

On 16 September 2021, Babcock announced that it had signed an agreement with PT PAL Indonesia for the export of design license for two Arrowhead 140 frigates, allowing PAL Indonesia to design AH140 derivatives for the Indonesian Navy.[9] The class are known locally as Fregat Merah Putih ("Red-White Frigate").[10]

On 9 December 2022, PAL Indonesia held the first steel cut ceremony for the first Fregat Merah Putih (Red White Frigate) at their shipyard in Surabaya.[7] The first frigate was laid down on 25 August 2023.[6][11]

The first steel cut of the second Red White frigate was made on 5 June 2024.[1][12] The second ship was laid down on 15 November 2024, five months earlier from the planned date of March 2025.[13]

In January 2025, the defense minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin targeted that the first ship was to be launched in June 2025, with the second ship launched by late 2025.[14]

During a meeting at the Ministry of Defense on 24 June 2025, it was concluded that the earlier target launch date of June 2025 for the first ship cannot be fulfilled, and was postponed to 27 October 2025. The first ship launch delay would not affect the construction progress for the second ship.[15]

The first ship, named as KRI Balaputradewa, was launched on 18 December.[16] At the same time, the construction progress of the second ship has reached 38%.[17]

During President Prabowo Subianto's visit to the United Kingdom on 21 January 2026, a letter of intent was signed for the sale of licenses for two additional Arrowhead 140 frigates to Indonesia.[18]

Armaments and sensors

As part of the main contract, the Red White Frigate is to be armed with one OTO Melara 76 mm, one 35 mm Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium Gun, and two 12.7 mm Leonardo Lionfish RCWS, while the electronics and sensors includes Aselsan Mete Han / CENK-350-N AESA multi-function radar,[19] Aselsan MAR-D / CENK-200-N air and surface surveillance and helicopter control radar, Aselsan FERSAH hull-mounted sonar, Aselsan Target Designation Sight, HAVELSAN ADVENT combat management system, HAVELSAN-made combat information center equipment, two 8x6 130 mm Aselsan KARTACA-N decoy launching systems, IFF system from Leonardo, and Elettronica electronic warfare suite.[20][21]

Additional equipment in "fitted for-but not with" (FFBNW) configuration includes additional single OTO Melara 76 mm gun, additional two 12.7 mm Leonardo Lionfish RCWS, 8x8 cells (total 64 cells) Roketsan MİDLAS vertical launching system (VLS) for surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, two Leonardo B515/3 triple 324mm torpedo launchers for MU90 LWT torpedoes, and Aselsan CENK 400-N AESA long-range air and surface surveillance radar.[20][21] The procurement contract for FFBNW equipment was signed by PAL Indonesia on 11 June 2025.[22]

Ships of the class

Name Pennant No. Builder Ordered First steel cut Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
KRI Balaputradewa 322 PAL Indonesia, Surabaya

Babcock International, Rosyth

30 April 2020 9 December 2022[7] 25 August 2023[6] 18 December 2025[16] Projected 2028/2029[23][14] Fitting out
KRI TBA 5 June 2024[24] 15 November 2024[13] Projected 2028/2029[14][23] Under construction
KRI TBA 21 January 2026 Planned
KRI TBA Planned

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Malufti, Fauzan (8 June 2024). "Indonesia Cuts Steel for Second Red White Frigate". navalnews.com. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Indonesia to build a further two Arrowhead 140-derived frigates". navalnews.com. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  3. ^ Putra, Erik Purnama, ed. (19 December 2025). "KRI Balaputradewa-322 Diluncurkan, Kapal Tempur Multiperan Produksi PT PAL". Republika.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  4. ^ Bahtić, F. (3 January 2022), One more country is modernizing its naval fleet with Type 31 frigates, retrieved 12 March 2023
  5. ^ Tovey, Alan (30 June 2021). "Babcock in talks to sell 'budget frigates' to five countries". The Telegraph.
  6. ^ a b c Malufti, Fauzan (26 August 2023). "Indonesia Lays Keel Of First 'Red White' Frigate". navalnews.com. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Sawiyya, Rangga Baswara (10 December 2022). "Pemotongan baja pertama Kapal Fregat Merah Putih telah dilakukan oleh PT PAL" [The first steel cutting of the Red White Frigate Ship was carried out by PT PAL]. Airspace Review (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  8. ^ Ibrahim, A Malik (20 September 2021). Kusbiantoro, Didik (ed.). "PAL: Kapal perang frigate pesanan Kemenhan dikerjakan selama 69 bulan". Antara News (in Indonesian). Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Babcock sells first new frigate design licence to Indonesia". Babcock International. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Indo Defence 2022: Indonesia prepares to cut steel on first 'Red-White' frigate". janes.com. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Pusat Kodifikasi Kementerian Pertahanan". www.kemhan.go.id. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Indonesia Mulai Bangun Kapal Fregat Merah Putih Unit Kedua". kompas.com (in Indonesian). 5 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  13. ^ a b Manumoyoso, Ambrosius Harto (15 November 2024). "Indonesia Percepat Produksi Fregat Merah Putih Ke-2". kompas.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Nashrullah, Hanif (24 January 2025). Febrianto, Vicki (ed.). "Menhan targetkan dua unit Fregat Merah Putih beroperasi akhir 2025". ANTARAnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  15. ^ "Ditjen Pothan Kemhan Pimpin Rapat Pembahasan Perkembangan Pembangunan Kapal Frigate Merah Putih". Ditjen Pothan Kemhan RI (Directorate General of Defense Potential, Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia) (in Indonesian). 24 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  16. ^ a b Rahmat, Ridzwan (19 December 2025). "PT PAL launches Indonesia's first Red White frigate". Janes. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  17. ^ Elaine, Meilita (18 December 2025). "Wamenhan Pimpin Shipnaming dan Launching KRI Bala Putra Dewa 322 di Surabaya". suarasurabaya.net (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  18. ^ "Babcock signs initial agreement under Indonesia Maritime Partnership Programme". BabcockInternational.com. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  19. ^ Ozberk, Tayfun (4 December 2025). "Indonesia's Merah Putih Frigate is being fitted with new radar by Aselsan". navalnews.com. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  20. ^ a b Mitsopoulos, Dimitris (11 February 2025). "Indonesia's Merah Putih-class Frigate: What You Need to Know". navalnews.com. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  21. ^ a b "ASELSAN Provides Mete Han MFR to Indonesia's Future Frigates". turdef.com. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  22. ^ "PT PAL Indonesia Usung Teknologi Canggih Sistem Pertahanan Laut di Indo Defence 2024". pal.co.id. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  23. ^ a b Achmad, Nirmala Maulana; Ihsanuddin (2 July 2024). "Dua Kapal Fregat Merah Putih TNI AL Diharapkan Bisa Beroperasi pada 2028". kompas.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  24. ^ "Indonesia Mulai Bangun Unit Kedua Fregat Merah Putih untuk TNI AL". Indonesia Defense. 5 June 2024.

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