PT PAL: Keel laid for Indonesian Navy’s second Red White frigate

PT PAL Indonesia, in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (Kemhan), has conducted the keel-laying ceremony for the second Red White (Merah Putih) frigate.

The keel laying marks the beginning of the ship’s construction and serves as the first milestone in determining the ship’s operational lifespan. The ceremony took place at the company’s yard on November 15, 2024.

The keel-laying ceremony was symbolized by the placement of commemorative coins on the block stand of the new frigate. The ship will be 140 meters long, with a beam of 19.75 meters, and will be capable of reaching a maximum speed of 28 knots. The frigate’s construction is not only intended to meet the nation’s defense needs but also aims to foster “a strong, independent, and globally competitive domestic defense industry”.

The vessel will be equipped with an “advanced” combat management system (CMS), the core of the ship’s combat capabilities. The CMS will integrate various sensors, weapons, and communication systems, enabling the ship to detect and engage targets “swiftly and accurately”, according to PT PAL.

Satriyo Bintoro, Director of Production at PT PAL Indonesia highlighted that the keel laying process for the frigate complies with the safety of life at sea (SOLAS) regulations.

For the keel laying phase, the weight of the block—once the assembly process is complete—must reach at least 50 tons, or 1% of the total construction weight, which is approximately 2,778 tons.

Furthermore, he noted that the keel laying of the second Red White frigate was completed ahead of schedule, earlier than the planned March 2025 timeline, indicating positive progress in the ship’s construction.

“This ship is designed with four-dimensional combat capabilities, including Surface-to-Surface Warfare, Surface-to-Air Warfare, Surface-to-Submarine Warfare, and Electronic Warfare,” said Bintoro.

The Merah Putih frigate is the largest warship ever designed and built by Indonesians. This project has been dubbed the “Merah Putih Frigate Project,” symbolizing Indonesia’s growing capability in naval defense.