Indonesia builds two more British Type 31 „Arrowhead 140“ frigates“

In mid-January, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, on a visit to the UK, signed a letter of intent with Babcock for the licensed construction of two more frigates in Surabaya based on the plans for the British Arrowhead 140 design (140 metres, 6,000 tonnes). The Royal Navy's Type 31 frigates are also being built in Poland - Sweden and Denmark also want to opt for this type of ship. The first Indonesian frigate was launched in mid-December 2025 at the PT PAL Indonesia shipyard and was christened „Balaputradewa“ (F 322). The second unit (F 323) of the Merah Putih class (red and white - the colours of the national flag) follows the type ship with a delay of around 18 months. However, both are still well ahead of schedule, which envisages commissioning by 2029. They are the largest warships built in Indonesia to date. These frigates will be equipped primarily with state-of-the-art Turkish weapons technology from Aselsan, Havelsan and Roketsan. The construction of the Merah Putih class is part of an extensive maritime rearmament project in the sprawling island state, which includes the modernisation of the Indonesian Navy's existing fleet as well as the licensed construction of initially two French Scorpène submarines with AIP propulsion. Further east, the neighbouring Philippine state is also rapidly upgrading its navy in particular - all as a result of the PR China's expansive presence in the neighbouring South China Sea.