Indonesia Launches First Merah Putih-class Frigate

Indonesia has named and launched its first domestically built Merah Putih-class frigate, KRI Balaputradewa (322).

The ceremony took place on December 18 at PT PAL Indonesia’s shipyard in Surabaya, where the vessel became the largest principal surface combatant ever constructed in the country.

During the launch sequence, PT PAL conducted a laser weapon firing demonstration involving senior defense officials. The system is described as a domestically developed product designed for medium- to long-range applications with controlled and flexible use.

KRI Balaputradewa is the lead ship of a two-frigate Merah Putih programme based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design. Construction began with steel cutting in December 2022, followed by keel laying in August 2023, with PT PAL stating the build pace from keel laying to launch was faster than comparable timelines for similar ships.

The Merah Putih class will carry a heavy air-defense and surface warfare fit, relying extensively on Turkish-made systems. These include sensors and radars from ASELSAN, a combat management system from HAVELSAN, and missiles and vertical launch systems from ROKETSAN. The ship will be fitted with a 64-cell vertical launch system, multiple naval guns, close-in defenses, and lightweight torpedoes. Propulsion uses a combined diesel and diesel arrangement, giving a top speed of about 28 knots and a range of roughly 9,000 nautical miles.

Following launch, KRI Balaputradewa has moved to the fitting-out quay for systems integration ahead of harbour and sea trials. No official commissioning date has been announced, though entry into service is expected around 2028–29. The second ship of the class was laid down in November 2024 and has not yet been named.