Indonesia Welcomes Former Italian Frigate KRI Brawijaya-320

Indonesia has officially welcomed the former Italian-built frigate KRI Brawijaya-320, which arrived at JICT 107 Port Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on September 8.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Armed Forces Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali welcomed the frigate. Under the command of Navy Colonel John David Nalasakti Sondakh and a crew of 160, the vessel completed a 23-day, 9,189-nautical-mile voyage with stops in Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., and Sri Lanka before arriving in Jakarta.

The official handover ceremony had earlier taken place on July 2 at Fincantieri’s Muggiano shipyard in Italy, where the ship was built as part of a 2024 contract worth €1.18 billion ($1.23 billion) between Indonesia and the Italian shipbuilder.

Measuring 143m and reaching speeds up to 32 knots, the KRI Brawijaya-320 ranks among Southeast Asia’s largest multi-role frigates. The warship supports anti-aircraft, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and electronic warfare (EW) operations. It is equipped with a combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system, controllable-pitch propellers, and a wave-piercing bow for improved fuel efficiency.

The ship’s weapons suite includes 76mm and 127mm naval guns, 25mm close-in weapon systems, surface-to-air missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, and torpedoes. It also has space for an 11m rigid inflatable boat (RIB) for at-sea interceptions and boarding operations.

Speaking at the arrival ceremony, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin thanked Italy for its cooperation and noted that another frigate, the KRI Prabu Siliwangi, is expected to join the Indonesian Navy fleet later this year.

Both vessels are part of the Thaon di Revel-class (Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura, PPA), originally ordered by the Italian Navy.