Two guided missile frigates launched for Indonesian Navy

Indonesian shipyard PT PAL has launched the first of two SIGMA 10514 Perusak Kawal Rudal (PKR) guided-missile frigates designated for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).

The ships were modularly constructed in the Netherlands and Indonesia in collaboration with Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS).

The ceremony was attended by many guests of honour including the Indonesian Minister of Defense and the Chief of the Navy.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Rizal Ramli said: “The Launching of PKR1 is a great momentum for the development of the Indonesian Shipbuilding and Maritime Industry. This has shown that Indonesia has the human resources and skills to develop naval vessels. However, we must still improve our technology and knowledge in order to compete internationally. Certainly, this is what we hope to achieve from our partner DSNS.”

Firmansyah Arifin, president director of PT Pal, said: “The launching of the first PKR went very smoothly. We are confident that the installation of the remaining technical parts of the vessel will be carried out in due time, so that the delivery phase can be achieved on or ahead of schedule.”

The SIGMA 10514 PKR frigate was a project initiated in August 2010 by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence. The Ministry awarded a contract to Damen for the construction of the first SIGMA 10514 PKR in December of that year. The first steel was cut by the former Minister of Defence, Purnomo Yusgiantoro in January 2014 and the keel was laid in April 2014 at PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya.

Primarily, the vessel will be operated for anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and anti-submarine warfare. However, it is also compatible with maritime security, search and rescue, patrol, and humanitarian support tasks.

The SIGMA 10514 PKR is built using a modular approach. SIGMA stands for Ship Integrated Geometrical Modularity Approach. In essence, the PKRs are divided into 6 modules of which 4 were built in PT PAL’s shipyards while the other two modules were built and fully tested at DSNS in the Netherlands. The modular building enables greater flexibility, is more cost effective and allows for building in various locations worldwide.

Essentially, it provides a large portion of technological transfer. When the 6 modules were complete, PT PAL had the responsibility of integrating them into one sole vessel.

The propulsion system of the 105-meter PKR vessel utilises a combined diesel or electric (CODOE) which consists of two 10,000kW maximum continuous rating (MCR) diesel engines, two 1,300kW electric motors, two double input gearboxes and two 3.65 metre controllable pitch propellers. The vessel will be equipped with a sensor and weapon package to counter air, surface and sub-surface threats. It also carries two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) for rescue and patrol operations.