Indonesia’s KRI Brawijaya PPA Arrives In Jakarta

FINCANTIERI’S  first Multipurpose Combat Ships/Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (MPCS/PPA) class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL), KRI Brawijaya arrived in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta today after a 44-day journey from Italy.

The Brawijaya left Fincantieri’s Muggiano La Spezia shipyard on July 3 after the shipbuilder held a delivery ceremony attended by TNI-AL chief Admiral Muhammad Ali, Fincantieri Chairman Biagio Mazzotta, Indonesian Ambassador to Italy Junimart Girsang, Italian Navy chief Adm Enrico Credendino and National Armaments Director Adm Giacinto Ottaviani. 

Along the journey, the vessel conducted several port calls and even carried out joint manoeuvres with its counterparts, even with the Diponegoro-class guided missile corvette KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda in the Medditeranean Sea.

At its welcoming ceremony in Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, Indonesia’s defence minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, together with Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) General Agus Subiyanto and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo inspected the Brawijaya.

The minister congratulated its crew for successfully delivering the Navy’s largest combat vessel to date. “On behalf of President Prabowo Subianto, the commander-in-chief of the TNI, I welcome you. And in the name of the Indonesian people, I can say that we are very proud to receive KRI Brawijaya,”he added.

Indonesia signed a US$1.3 billion deal for the two brand-new 143-metre long MPCS/PPAs in Light Plus configuration last March, following Indonesia’s urgent request for large combatant vessels. The two vessels were originally destined for the Italian Navy as Marcantonio Colonna and Ruggiero do Lauria, and later renamed as Brawijaya and Prabu Siliwangi January 29 this year. The ships are Fitted For But Not With (FFBNW) other armaments, with the TNI-AL looking to fully arm the vessels upon arrival.

KRI Brawijaya is the first of two MPCS/PPA units and, together with its sister vessel, the KRI Prabu Siliwangi represents an important milestone in the development of the strategic partnership between Fincantieri and the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MOD).

These vessels will be the largest combat ships in the TNI-AL capable of performing a wide range of missions, including frontline combat operations, maritime patrol, rescue and civil protection activities. Therefore strengthening stability in the Indo-Pacific region and safeguarding Indonesia’s national interests.

TNI-AL chief Adm Muhammad Ali added that the Brawijaya will make its debut in the TNI’s 80th anniversary celebration in October.–shp/adj/dl (Pix:TNI)