The KRI Balaputradewa-322 frigate was officially launched on December 18 by the state-owned company PT PAL Indonesia, becoming the first of two new Arrowhead 140-class frigates (Merah Putih class for Indonesian internal designation) built locally for the Indonesian Navy. The program is part of the country’s naval modernization process and the development of its defense industry.
The event began with a christening ceremony, presided over by Kaharuddin Djenod, Chairman and CEO of PT PAL Indonesia, and continued with the launching ceremony led by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, Air Marshal (Retired) Donny Ermawan Taufanto. During the event, the Deputy Minister and the CEO conducted a demonstration of a laser weapon, showcasing the technological capabilities presented by the shipyard.
The KRI Balaputradewa-322 is the lead ship of a two-frigate program, built by PT PAL Indonesia based on the Arrowhead 140 design by the British company Babcock International, under a license and technical assistance agreement. The contract for the construction of both ships was signed with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense on April 30, 2020. Steel cutting for the first ship took place in December 2022, while keel laying was completed in August 2023 at PT PAL’s shipyard in Surabaya.
With a length of 140 meters and a displacement of 6,626 tons, the frigate is designed to perform anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine, and electronic warfare missions, as well as naval gunfire support and air defense. These capabilities position it as one of the Indonesian Navy’s main surface combatants and the largest ship of its type built in the country to date.
The ship is named after Balaputradewa, a 9th-century king of the Srivijaya Kingdom, a historical maritime power in Southeast Asia. The Merah Putih (“Red and White”) class designation refers to the colors of the Indonesian national flag.
During the ceremony, Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin noted that the launch reflects the country’s technological progress and is part of the goal of gradually reducing dependence on foreign products, highlighting the nation’s capacity to modernize its armed forces. Similarly, Kaharuddin Djenod stated that the program demonstrates the growing quality and competitiveness of Indonesian engineers and is not limited to the construction of two ships, but rather represents the long-term development of technological capabilities.
The Merah Putih-class frigates will incorporate a wide range of Turkish-origin combat systems, including sensors and radars developed by ASELSAN, combat management systems from HAVELSAN, and missiles along with vertical launch systems (VLS) from ROKETSAN, reflecting the defense industrial cooperation between Indonesia and Turkey.
Following its launch, the KRI Balaputradewa-322 will enter the commissioning and systems integration phase, followed by harbor and sea trials. No official timeline has yet been announced for its entry into service or for the launch of the second frigate of the class.
*Images courtesy of the Indonesian Navy.
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