Indonesia Conducts Keel Laying for Second Merah Putih Frigate

PT PAL Indonesia, in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (Kemhan), has conducted the keel laying for the second Merah Putih (Red White) Frigate.

The ceremony, held at the Submarine Division’s hangar of PT PAL Indonesia, involved the laying of the main structural component, initiating the ship's official lifespan calculation.

PT PAL's Director of Production, Satriyo Bintoro, stated that the construction of the second Merah Putih Frigate has surpassed its original schedule, achieving progress ahead of its March 2025 target. The frigate, based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, will integrate advanced combat management systems and feature multi-dimensional warfare capabilities, including surface, air, submarine, and electronic warfare functions.

The vessel’s specifications include a length of 140 meters, a width of 19.75 meters, a displacement of 6,626 tons, and a maximum speed of 28 knots. It will be equipped with vertical launching systems (VLS) for surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles, two 76 mm naval gun systems, and a Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) propulsion system.

PT PAL signed a design license agreement with Babcock in 2021 to construct the vessels.