Navantia, Indra To Upgrade Indonesian Navy's Combat System

Navantia and Indra has won an $18 million contract to upgrade the combat system of Indonesian Navy's Fatahillah-class corvettes, KRI Malahayati.

A consortium made up of Navantia and Indra will assist indigenous shipbuilder PT PAL in the mid-life upgrade. It will modernize sensors and the fire control system, integrating them with a modern combat management system (CMS).

New technology to be installed includes Indra’s Rigel electronic support measures, while Navantia will supply the CMS and Dorna fire control system.

The companies remarked that the upgrade will give Malahayati the latest electronic technology as is also installed aboard Spanish Navy warships.

Three ships of the Fatahillah class were built by Wilton-Fijenoord in the Netherlands from 1979-80; the third, KRI Nala is pictured above. The 84m-long corvettes displace 1,450t.

Armament includes a Bofors 120mm gun, Bofors 40mm gun and four Exocet MM38 missiles.

The first-of-class Fatahillah was previously upgraded via a 2013 contract awarded to Ultra Electronics Command & Control Systems. It replaced the CMS, sonar and other electronic equipment and also received Terma Scanter 4100 radar. Hence, It is interesting that the Indonesian Navy has transferred to a different contractor for the second upgrade in this corvette class. Navantia and Indra have strategically partnered in other projects, including development of the Spanish Navy’s future F110 frigate.