Indonesia prepares for potential contract to build a new Iver Huitfedlt-variant frigate

An Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate of the Royal Danish Navy.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MOD) has started preparations for the potential construction of a new large frigate, signing a preamble contract with proponents involved in the project for the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL).

The preamble contract was signed with state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL, and Indonesian agent for Danish shipbuilder Odennse Maritime Technology (OMT) PT Sinar Kokoh Persada. 

OMT has promoted their Ivan Huitfeldt-class frigate as the basis for Indonesian’s new large frigate requirements, with the Indonesian MOD agreeing it to be the best solution among several choices considered.

According to British defense media outlet Jane’s, part of the preamble contract are the agreements on workshare and distribution should the actual shipbuilding contract be made.

The TNI-AL has raised the requirement for 2 large frigates, with OMT’s design beating out Dutch shipbuilder Damen with their new OMEGA large frigate design.

While the Indonesian variant is expected to have a different exterior design, subsystem layout and sensor and weapon systems fit, the basic design features are expected to be similar to the Royal Danish Navy’s variant.

The Iver Huitfeldt-class displaces at 6,500 tons full load, and is propelled by four MTU 20V 8000 M70 diesel engines in Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) configuration, allowing a maximum speed of 28 knots, and a maximum range of 9,300 nautical miles at 18 knots.

It has space allocation for four Mk. 41 8-cell VLS, two Mk. 56 12-cell VLS, up to 16 Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles,  2 OTO Melara 76mm guns, a 35mm Oerlikon Millenium naval gun, and two triple lightweight torpedo launchers.

It also has a hangar and helicopter deck for medium-sized military helicopters.

Once built, it would become the largest surface combatant in Southeast Asia, not counting Thailand's aircraft carrier.


[1] Jane’s
[2] Naval News