Indonesia's Red White Frigates adapt British naval design for local maritime defense needs

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Balaputradewa-class frigate, locally known as the Red White Frigate, represents a significant expansion of Indonesia's naval capabilities. Built by PT PAL Indonesia using a licensed British Arrowhead 140 design, these vessels integrate sophisticated international sensor suites and modular combat systems to modernize the nation's surface fleet.

The development of the Balaputradewa-class began in earnest on 30 April 2020, when the Indonesian Ministry of Defense contracted PT PAL Indonesia to construct two frigates. The project relies on a design license from the British firm Babcock, which is based on the Iver Huitfeldt-class hull developed by Odense Maritime Technology. This collaboration, formalized in September 2021, allows Indonesia to produce derivatives of the Arrowhead 140 platform, a design also marketed as the Type 31 frigate.

Construction has proceeded in Surabaya, with the first steel cut for the lead ship occurring in December 2022. Despite initial scheduling challenges—including a delay in the launch of the first ship, KRI Balaputradewa, from June 2025 to December 2025—the program remains active. The second ship, which saw its steel cut in June 2024, has reached 38% completion as of late 2025. Looking ahead, the Indonesian government signed a letter of intent in January 2026 to acquire licenses for two additional vessels, which are expected to feature enhanced combat capabilities while maintaining the original platform's architecture.

The frigates are designed with a flexible armament strategy. The primary configuration includes a 76 mm OTO Melara gun, a 35 mm Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium Gun, and various Leonardo remote weapon stations. Furthermore, the ships utilize a 'fitted for-but not with' (FFBNW) approach for advanced systems. This modularity allows for the future integration of a 64-cell Roketsan MİDLAS vertical launching system, torpedo launchers, and long-range AESA radar. By combining Turkish-made combat management systems like HAVELSAN ADVENT with European radar and electronic warfare suites, the class aims to provide a versatile, high-tech solution for regional maritime security.

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