To fortify its maritime defence capabilities, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemhan RI) has signed a deal with Italy to acquire two frigates of the FREMM class. 

The agreement shows Indonesia's proactive stance in safeguarding its territorial waters amidst evolving regional security dynamics.

On June 20, 2021, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) signed a contract with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to purchase six units of FREMM-class frigates, as per GlobalData's intelligence on the Indonesian defence market. 

These vessels, which measure 143 metres in length and weigh 6,250 tonnes, are equipped with weaponry, including the Aster 15 surface-to-air missile system and a range of radar and electronic warfare systems.

Beyond hardware acquisition, the agreement encompasses an offset package to foster long-term cooperation and capacity-building initiatives. From shipyard development consultations to training programmes, the offset package shows Indonesia's commitment to maximising the benefits of the procurement deal.

The timely delivery of the frigates, scheduled for October 2024 and April 2025, aligns with Indonesia's vision of maintaining maritime security and upholding regional stability. With these vessels joining its naval fleet, Indonesia is poised to play a more assertive role in safeguarding sea lanes and responding to emerging security challenges.

In a separate development, Fincantieri will construct two Pattugliatori Polivalenti d'Altura (PPA) multi-purpose patrol ships for Indonesia in a €1.18bn ($1.25bn) deal, initially intended for the Italian Navy, despite uncertainty about whether these ships will come from Italy's seven PPA units, Indonesia's interest in PPAs aligns with Italy's maritime presence in the Far East.