Indonesia Launches First Merah Putih Frigate
INDONESIA’S PT PAL continues to strengthen its mastery of maritime defence technology to ensure a sense of security for Indonesia, through the achievement of the naming and launching of their first Merah Putih (Red White) Frigate.
The ship naming ceremony was led by Yayuk Donny Ermawan Taufanto, the ship’s mother with the symbolic cutting of a jug rope to mark the official naming of the ship as Balaputradewa. The event continued with the launching of the Balaputradewa (FMP#1), which began with the reading of the ship’s launch statement by the republic’s Deputy Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan Taufanto at PT PAL Indonesia’s facility in Surabaya.
In his remarks, the deputy minister attended in place of defence minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who conveyed that the successful construction of this frigate was not merely a technical achievement but a reflection of the nation’s confidence in the capabilities of the national defence industry.
“This ship reflects the advancement of national technology and confirms Indonesia’s ability to build its defence forces independently. Through a design and construction process involving the best domestic engineers and technicians, this ship is a clear demonstration of the capacity of the Indonesian defence industry to produce modern defence equipment, reduce dependence on foreign products, and strengthen the Indonesian Navy’s (TNI-AL) position as the vanguard of maritime defence,” he said.
The symbolic launch was carried out by the deputy minister together with President Director of PT PAL Indonesia, Kaharuddin Djenod, as well Indonesian National Armed Forces top brass. At the same time, the Merah Putih Frigate officially left the Orca graving dock, marking the beginning of the next phase of the warship’s construction.
Kaharuddin Djenod stated that this achievement is a clear testament to the quality and competitiveness of Indonesian engineers. “The government’s trust is our main driving force to continue moving forward. Today, Indonesia is not only building warships, but also building a future of independent maritime defence technology that will have a multiplier effect on the national economy,” he said. “In an era where defence security and economic strength are interconnected, the independence of the defence industry is a strategic instrument for expanding influence and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” he concluded.
The minister and Kaharuddin also demonstrated the firing of a laser weapon from PT PAL, designed to precisely focus laser radiation on targets at medium to long operational ranges, prioritising effectiveness, safety, and flexibility of use.