Indonesia looks at potential acquisition of German Bremen-class frigate as interim solution

The German Navy frigate Lübeck during Exercise UNITAS Gold in 2009. Photo c/o Wikipedia.

Indonesia's Ministry of Defence (MOD) is reportedly interested in acquiring Germany's only in-service Bremen-class (Type 122) frigate, to meet a requirement for an Interim Readiness Frigate (IRF) for the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL).

According to British defense media Jane's, it has received a copy of documents recommending the procurement of the Bremen-class frigate Lübeck (F214) as indicated in a letter of guidance from the Indonesian MOD.

The said letter indicates plans to temporarily fill operational gaps in the TNI-AL, to meet the Indonesian Armed Forces' Minimum Essential Force modernization program.

Being an interim solution, the acquisition of the used Bremen-class frigate, which the German Navy plans to retire in 2021, the TNI-AL is still pursuing the acquisition of 2 new large frigates based on Denmark's Iver Huitfeldt-class design. No timeline has been confirmed though on the purchase of the new frigates.

The TNI-AL plans to replace its ageing fleet of 6 Ahmad Yani-class frigates, which are former Van Speijk-class frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy transferred to the TNI-AL in 1986. One of the frigates has been retired. 

The service has started replacing them with the Martadinata-class frigates based of Dutch shipbuilder Damen's SIGMA 10514 design, two of which are already in service. So far, the TNI-AL has not ordered additional Martadinata-class frigates.

The Bremen-class frigates were commissioned by the German Navy starting in 1982, with the last ship of the class, the Lübeck (F214) commissioned in March 1990. It has a length of 130.5 meters, a beam of 14.6 meters, and a displacement of 3,680 tons.

The ship is equipped with an Oto Melara 76/62mm naval gun, 2 Rheinmetall MLG27 27mm autocannons, an 8-cell box launcher for Sea Sparrow air defense missiles, 2 quadruple launchers for RGM-84D Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and two twin Mark 32 324mm torpedo launchers.

The frigate also has a hangar and a helicopter landing deck to allow the embarkation of 2 naval helicopters.

[1] Jane's
[2] Indomiliter Defense Forum