Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Türkiye’s TAIS Shipyards for the construction of two MILGEM Istif-class frigates.
At the IDEF 2025 International Defence Industry Fair, Türkiye and Indonesia marked a significant milestone in their growing strategic defense partnership.
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?İstanbul | IDEF 2025 IDEF 2025 kapsamında, Başkanımız Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün’ün katılımıyla TAIS Shipyards ile Endonezya Savunma Bakanlığı arasında 2 adet MİLGEM İstif sınıfı fırkateyn sözleşmesi imzalandı. ????? Bu anlaşma, Endonezya’ya yapılacak ilk MİLGEM sınıfı ihracat… pic.twitter.com/5w4nHlqdNt
This landmark agreement signals a new chapter in bilateral cooperation between the two allied nations and represents Türkiye’s first export of MİLGEM-class vessels to Southeast Asia.
“We hope this collaboration, embodying the shared maritime defense vision of two allied nations, will be beneficial for all parties involved,” the Turkish Defense Industry Association (SSB) revealed in a social media post.
İstif-class frigates are optimized for anti-submarine, surface, and anti-air warfare roles and ISR and early warning missions. They boast a length of 113 meters and a beam of 14.4 meters.
A contract for the construction of the first vessel in this class, TCG İSTANBUL , was signed in April 2019. The frigate joined the Turkish Navy in January last year, during the official parade held by the Turkish Navy in the Istanbul Strait to mark the 100th anniversary of the country.
In January this year, Türkiye launched two new İstif (I) class frigates, named İZMİR (F-516) and İZMİT (F-517). The frigates differ from the Ada-class corvettes in their ability to carry and launch homing surface-to-air missiles.
In a separate statement, TAIS Shipyards unveiled that a critical milestone has been completed in the construction of two fast attack craft (missile) vessels for the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, currently underway at Sefine Shipyard.
On July 17, 2025, a keel laying ceremony was held to mark the next phase in the project. The event brought together senior representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, the Indonesian Navy, the Embassy of Indonesia in Ankara, and Türkiye’s defense industry leaders.
This fast attack vessel project is the first naval platform to be exported from Türkiye to Indonesia and underscores the expanding role of Turkish shipyards like TAIS and Sefine in meeting international defense demands.
Both projects reflect Türkiye’s commitment to defense collaboration and technological transfer with Indonesia.