Indonesia starts construction of first of two Arrowhead 140 frigates

 

Indonesian defense and military officials with PT PAL executives during the First Steel Cutting Ceremony of the first "Merah Putih" frigate. Photo c/o BUMN.

Indonesian state-owned ship builder PT PAL (Persero) has started the construction of the first of two planned frigates designed by British defense firm Babcock International.

The frigate, which is now called by Indonesian officials as the “Merah Putih” (Red White) Frigate based on the colors of the Indonesian national flag, had its ceremonial First Steel Cutting on 09 December 2022 at PT PAL’s facility in Surabaya.

Originally the ceremony was suppose to be held on November 2022, but PT PAL admitted that there were delays in the programme, specifically on finalizing the design, which may have pushed back the First Steel Cutting date.

The frigate uses the Arrowhead 140 base design, which Babcock International agreed to transfer to PT PAL under a deal signed on September 2021. The design was modified to suit Indonesian specifications and desired subsystems.

The Indonesian frigate will be around 138.7 meters long, 19.8 meters wide, has a displacement of  5,700 tons, and have a crew of 100. 

The first ship is expected to be delivered to the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) by 2026.

The Arrowhead 140 design was based on the hull form of the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates which were built for the Danish Navy in 2011.

Aside from Indonesia, the Royal Navy is building the Type 31 frigates also based on the Arrowhead 140 design.

[1] Indonesia Shipbuilding & Offshore Association

[2] Janes

[3] Lembaga Kajian Pertahanan Strategis