Indonesia is taking a significant step towards modernising its navy by acquiring two Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) vessels from Fincantieri, a leading Italian shipbuilding and defence contractor. As an archipelagic nation with extensive maritime borders, Indonesia faces continuous security challenges, including protecting its territorial waters, securing vital trade routes, and reinforcing naval sovereignty. Therefore, this acquisition aligns with the broader defence strategy under President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who has emphasised the importance of strengthening Indonesia’s military capabilities in response to evolving security threats.
The agreement was signed between the Indonesian Ministry of Defence and Fincantieri, with key representatives present, including Fincantieri’s CEO, Pierroberto Folgiero and General Manager Dario Deste. Since the PPA vessels were initially designed for the Italian Navy, they were built at Fincantieri’s Riva Trigoso-Muggiano shipyard in Italy. According to Indonesian Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Ali, the first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2025, followed closely by the second. As a result, this procurement can be seen as a way to enhance Indonesia’s naval capabilities and deepen defence cooperation between Indonesia and Italy by facilitating technology transfer, training programmes, and industrial collaboration.
Furthermore, Janes reports that Indonesia has secured a $1.25 billion loan to finance the purchase, with BNP Paribas leading a syndication that includes Crédit Agricole, alongside support from SACE, an Italian financial and insurance institution. This financing arrangement allows Indonesia to modernise its military assets while ensuring fiscal stability. Italy’s growing strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region played a pivotal role in this deal, precisely after the Italian Navy’s Francesco Morosini visited Indonesia in July 2023 as part of the Far East Maritime Campaign.
Capabilities and Design Features
Measuring 143 metres in length with a displacement of 6,250 tons, each PPA vessel is designed to accommodate up to 171 personnel. Given their high endurance, these vessels can remain at sea for up to 30 days without resupply. Moreover, with a maximum speed of 32 knots (59 km/h) and a range of 5,000 nautical miles, they provide effective patrolling capabilities across Indonesia’s vast maritime domain.
Regarding weaponry, the vessels are equipped with the Aster 15 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, launched from the DCNS Sylver A43 vertical launching system. This system provides strong air defence capabilities with an effective range of 15 to 30 kilometres. In addition, they feature a 127 mm Vulcano main gun, a 76 mm Strales secondary gun, and two 25 mm guns, ensuring versatility in engaging both surface and aerial threats. The vessels utilise the RTN 10X Dardo fire-control radar (FCR) to further enhance further targeting accuracy.
Beyond their combat capabilities, the vessels are also equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems, including radar electronic support measures (RESM) and communication electronic support measures (CESM), which improve situational awareness and defensive responses. More importantly, the vessels also have the Cockpit Nave navigation system, which Fincantieri developed in collaboration with Leonardo that integrates touchscreen controls, augmented reality displays, and multi-function digital interfaces. This allows the crew to process real-time data from radar, sonar, and electro-optical sensors more efficiently, significantly reducing operational workload.
Another distinctive feature of the PPA vessels is their stern and side ramp design, which enhances operational flexibility. Specifically, the stern ramp allows for the rapid deployment and retrieval of small vessels, such as rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) or unmanned surface and underwater vehicles (USVs/UUVs), thereby facilitating special forces operations and amphibious missions. Unlike traditional davit or crane systems, this innovative design enables smooth vessel launch and recovery, even while the vessel is in motion. Additionally, the side ramp provides an alternative means for launching and recovering fast boats, making the vessels highly adaptable for diverse mission requirements.
Strategic Importance and Deployment
During the official renaming ceremony at Fincantieri’s Muggiano shipyard on 29 January 2024, Admiral Muhammad Ali underscored the strategic significance of these vessels. KRI Brawijaya (320) and KRI Prabu Siliwangi (321) symbolise Indonesia’s commitment to maritime defence. Consequently, to ensure the smooth transfer of these assets, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has established a special procurement task force (Satuan Tugas Proyek Pengadaan). If everything proceeds as planned, both vessels will be operational by June 2025.
The agreement includes an offset package covering technology transfer, training programmes, and shipyard development. Indonesian naval personnel will undergo six months of training in Italy to gain expertise in operating and maintaining the vessels. Additionally, simulation training centres will be established in Indonesia, while collaboration with the Indonesian Defence University will further enhance local defence knowledge. Italian defence technology firm Leonardo will also assist in customising the vessel’s combat systems to meet Indonesia’s specific operational requirements.
Operationally, KRI Brawijaya (320) will be assigned to Koarmada II, with an operational reach extending into Koarmada III, covering Indonesia’s eastern region, including waters around Papua. Meanwhile, KRI Prabu Siliwangi (321) will be deployed under Koarmada I, securing Indonesia’s western maritime areas, including the South China Sea.
Implications for Indonesia’s Defence Strategy
From a broader perspective, this acquisition aligns with Indonesia’s plans to increase its defence budget to 1–1.5% of GDP, compared to the current 0.7–0.8%. However, experts from Analis Lab 45 site on Kompas argue that a budget allocation of 1.5–2% of GDP is necessary to meet Indonesia’s minimum defence requirements. For years, budgetary constraints have hindered Indonesia’s efforts to modernise its primary weapons systems (Alutsista), with many assets now outdated and urgently needing replacement. Therefore, this deal represents a significant step towards addressing these gaps.
According to Frega Wenas Inkiriwang, cited from Kompas, Head of the Information Bureau at the Ministry of Defence, sustained investment is essential, particularly as the government seeks to strengthen air defence capabilities by acquiring fighter jets, transport aircraft, and missile systems. At the same time, adding these PPA vessels will play a crucial role in enhancing Indonesia’s naval posture, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Given the ongoing security challenges in the South China Sea, acquiring modern naval assets will provide Indonesia greater strategic flexibility.
Moreover, this procurement sets the stage for further defence cooperation between Indonesia and Italy, potentially leading to joint naval exercises, technology partnerships, and additional procurement agreements in the future. Introducing these highly advanced vessels marks a significant milestone in Indonesia’s maritime security strategy. As regional security dynamics evolve, maintaining a capable and well-equipped navy will remain essential for safeguarding national interests territorial sovereignty, and contributing to regional stability. Therefore, this acquisition strengthens Indonesia’s defence capabilities and reinforces its position as a key security actor in the Indo-Pacific.