Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) and PT PAL (Persero) Shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia held the steel cutting ceremony on 15 January 2014 for the first SIGMA 10514 PKR Frigate.
DSNS and PT PAL signed the contract for construction of the 105 meters long frigate with the Defence Ministry of Indonesia in June 2012. This order is part of the Indonesian Navy’s further modernization and expansion of the fleet.
The unique building strategy of DSNS is signified by the simultaneous construction and testing of modules, which will be built at Vlissingen based DSNS and subsequently shipped to the yard in Surabaya.
The modules of the ship will be assembled at PT PAL Shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Construction of another frigate of the class is expected to begin in approximately 6 months.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 16, 2014; Image: Damen