(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In a ceremony laden with strategic symbolism and calibrated geopolitical messaging, Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri formally handed over the multipurpose combat ship (MPCS) KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 to the Indonesian Navy at its Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia, marking not merely the completion of a €1.18 billion naval contract but the crystallisation of a deeper Indonesia-Italy defence partnership unfolding against the backdrop of intensifying Indo-Pacific maritime competition.

The transfer of KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321, following the earlier delivery of its sister ship KRI Brawijaya-320 in July 2025, represents the culmination of a deliberate strategic decision by Jakarta to fast-track its blue-water naval capabilities amid escalating tensions in contested maritime theatres stretching from the South China Sea to the eastern Indian Ocean.

Valued at €1.18 billion, equivalent to approximately US$1.28 billion or RM6.05 billion, the acquisition underscores Indonesia’s willingness to deploy substantial fiscal resources to accelerate naval modernisation while simultaneously leveraging European industrial expertise to bridge critical capability gaps.

The ceremony itself reflected the gravity of the moment, with Indonesian Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Ali leading the Indonesian delegation alongside Indonesia’s Ambassador to Italy, H.E. Prof. Dr. Junimart Girsang, while the Italian side was represented by Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero, Naval Vessels Division General Manager Eugenio Santagata, and Italian Navy Chief Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, collectively signalling a convergence of political intent, industrial commitment and strategic alignment.

Admiral Muhammad Ali encapsulated Jakarta’s strategic rationale by declaring, “This ship represents not just advanced technology but a commitment to safeguarding our archipelagic sovereignty in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific,” a statement that framed the delivery not as a procurement milestone but as an operational declaration of Indonesia’s evolving maritime doctrine.

Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero reinforced this narrative by stating, “The delivery of KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 consolidates our partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, confirming our shared commitment to a safer future and safer seas,” positioning the programme as both a bilateral success and a contribution to broader maritime stability.

Taken together, these remarks reveal how the delivery of a single surface combatant has become a strategic instrument, simultaneously enhancing Indonesia’s naval posture, advancing Italy’s defence-industrial footprint in Asia, and reinforcing the normative framework of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

Origins of the Indonesia–Italy Naval Partnership and the Strategic Reallocation of PPA-Class Vessels

The genesis of the KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 programme can be traced to March 2024, when Fincantieri and the Indonesian Ministry of Defense concluded a landmark agreement for two Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) vessels, subsequently redesignated as Multipurpose Combat Ships (MPCS) to reflect their expanded operational profile within the Indonesian Navy.

Originally intended for the Italian Navy under Rome’s own fleet renewal programme, the two PPA-class ships were strategically reallocated to Indonesia in response to Jakarta’s urgent requirement for modern, high-end surface combatants capable of multi-domain operations across vast maritime spaces.

This decision represented a rare convergence of industrial pragmatism and strategic necessity, allowing Fincantieri to meet export demand while enabling the Italian Navy to reorder replacement hulls without disrupting its long-term force structure.

For Indonesia, the arrangement offered an accelerated pathway to acquiring advanced naval platforms without enduring the prolonged timelines typically associated with new-build programmes, a critical consideration given the deteriorating maritime security environment in Southeast Asia.

Ambassador Junimart Girsang previously underscored the broader implications of the programme by noting, “These vessels symbolize the strong defense collaboration between our nations, enhancing interoperability and mutual trust,” a statement that captured the political capital invested in the partnership.

The deal fits squarely within Indonesia’s Minimum Essential Force (MEF) framework, which seeks to establish a balanced, survivable and scalable force structure capable of defending an Exclusive Economic Zone exceeding six million square kilometres, one of the largest maritime jurisdictions in the world.

With repeated foreign maritime intrusions near the Natuna Islands and persistent pressure in the South China Sea, Jakarta’s leadership has increasingly concluded that symbolic presence alone is insufficient, necessitating platforms capable of sustained deterrence, rapid response and escalation control.

The acquisition of the MPCS vessels thus reflects a strategic recalibration away from numerically focused fleet expansion toward qualitative superiority, sensor dominance and network-centric maritime operations.

Historic Arrival: KRI Brawijaya-320 Joins Indonesian Navy as Nation’s Most Powerful Combat Ship

KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321: Technical Architecture, Combat Systems and Multi-Domain Flexibility

At the centre of this strategic shift stands KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321, a heavily armed and technologically sophisticated surface combatant derived from Italy’s Thaon di Revel-class, optimised for high-end naval warfare as well as constabulary and humanitarian missions.

Measuring 143 metres in length, with a beam of 16.5 metres, a draft of 5.2 metres, and a full-load displacement of approximately 6,270 tonnes, the vessel is the largest and most capable surface combatant ever commissioned by the Indonesian Navy.

Powered by a Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) propulsion system augmented by electric motors, the ship is capable of speeds exceeding 31 knots, providing both tactical agility and strategic reach across Indonesia’s dispersed maritime geography.

Its endurance, exceeding 5,000 nautical miles at 15 knots, enables prolonged deployments across distant operational theatres, a crucial attribute for sustained presence missions in contested waters.

The ship’s combat systems architecture is built around a high-density sensor fusion framework anchored by the Leonardo Kronos AESA radar, delivering 360-degree air and surface surveillance and supporting simultaneous multi-target tracking in cluttered electromagnetic environments.

Armament includes a 127mm main gun, vertical launch systems for surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles, advanced anti-submarine warfare torpedoes, and a layered electronic warfare suite designed to counter modern missile threats and electronic attack.

The vessel’s modular design philosophy allows rapid reconfiguration for mission-specific payloads, including unmanned aerial systems, unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles, reflecting Indonesia’s growing emphasis on distributed maritime operations.

Aviation facilities comprising a full-length flight deck and hangar accommodate two medium helicopters, significantly enhancing anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol, search-and-rescue and over-the-horizon targeting capabilities.

With accommodation for 171 crew members, the ship integrates advanced automation to reduce manpower demands while sustaining high operational tempo, a critical consideration for long-duration deployments.

Fincantieri’s Eugenio Santagata highlighted this versatility by stating, “These ships are designed for a wide range of missions, from combat operations to rescue activities, representing a strategic asset for regional stability,” underscoring the vessel’s role as both a warfighting platform and a tool of maritime governance.

Compared to KRI Brawijaya-320, KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 incorporates refinements in electronic warfare and command-and-control systems tailored to Indonesian operational requirements, further enhancing survivability and interoperability.

Indonesia’s Naval Modernisation Drive and the Indo-Pacific Strategic Equation

The induction of KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 occurs at a moment when Indonesia is accelerating defence expenditure under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, with military spending projected to reach 1.5–2 percent of GDP by 2027, signalling a sustained commitment to force modernisation.

Within this framework, the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) occupies a central role as the principal instrument for safeguarding maritime sovereignty, protecting sea lines of communication and projecting stability across key chokepoints such as the Malacca Strait, Lombok Strait and Makassar Strait.

Admiral Muhammad Ali has repeatedly articulated a vision centred on command restructuring, networked operations and undersea domain awareness, noting in a separate address, “One of the main pillars of modernization is the restructuring of the command structure, alongside acquiring cutting-edge systems like these PPAs to detect and deter threats in real-time.”

The arrival of the MPCS vessels directly supports this vision by providing sensor-rich platforms capable of integrating into broader maritime surveillance architectures, including prospective seabed sensor networks and space-based ISR assets.

In an Indo-Pacific environment characterised by intensifying great-power rivalry, Indonesia’s enhanced surface combatant capability positions Jakarta as a more consequential actor in maintaining freedom of navigation and regional equilibrium.

Participation in multinational exercises such as Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) and expanded engagement with European and regional navies reflect Indonesia’s intent to translate platform capability into diplomatic leverage and operational credibility.

The MPCS vessels also strengthen Indonesia’s ability to counter non-traditional security threats, including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, piracy and maritime terrorism, which collectively impose billions of ringgit in annual economic losses.

By fielding platforms with credible anti-submarine warfare capability, Indonesia enhances its capacity to monitor and, if necessary, contest undersea activities by foreign actors transiting critical maritime corridors.

Geopolitical Implications, ASEAN Signalling and Future Defence-Industrial Trajectories

The delivery of KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 carries implications extending well beyond bilateral Indonesia-Italy relations, reverberating across ASEAN and the wider Indo-Pacific strategic landscape.

For Southeast Asia, the induction of such high-end surface combatants raises the regional baseline for naval capability, potentially influencing procurement trajectories in neighbouring states seeking to maintain relative balance.

Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto captured the broader European perspective by stating, “This collaboration strengthens not only bilateral ties but also contributes to a free and open Indo-Pacific, where maritime rules are upheld,” aligning Italy’s defence exports with emerging European strategic narratives in Asia.

While Indonesia remains formally non-aligned, the acquisition of European naval platforms complements Jakarta’s strategy of diversified defence partnerships, reducing dependence on any single supplier while maximising strategic autonomy.

The programme also advances Indonesia’s industrial ambitions, with lifecycle support, maintenance and potential future upgrades expected to involve domestic shipyards such as PT PAL, reinforcing technology absorption and local capability development.

Looking ahead, Indonesian naval leadership has openly discussed ambitions extending beyond surface combatants, with Admiral Muhammad Ali previously stating, “Indonesia is considering the acquisition of an aircraft carrier as part of its effort to modernize its military and strengthen maritime security,” a prospect that could further deepen cooperation with European shipbuilders.

For Fincantieri, the successful delivery of the MPCS vessels enhances its credibility as a supplier of complex naval platforms in Asia, potentially opening pathways for follow-on contracts, joint ventures and regional sustainment hubs.

A Defining Moment for Indonesia’s Maritime Future and Regional Stability

The handover of KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 ultimately represents far more than the addition of a new hull to Indonesia’s fleet, encapsulating a deliberate assertion of maritime agency, strategic foresight and international partnership.

As Admiral Muhammad Ali observed during a fleet ceremony, “Hardship in one area is hardship for all of us,” a sentiment that resonates in an Indo-Pacific increasingly defined by shared vulnerabilities and interconnected security challenges.

With the commissioning of its most advanced surface combatants to date, Indonesia has taken a decisive step toward securing its maritime domain, contributing to regional stability and reinforcing its role as a pivotal maritime power at the crossroads of the Indo-Pacific.

Technical Specifications — KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321

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Operational Notes 

• Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) propulsion enables a balance of high-speed sprinting and economical transit, essential for dispersed archipelagic operations across Indonesia’s EEZ (~6 million km²).

• Leonardo Kronos AESA radar provides simultaneous multi-target tracking and enhanced situational awareness against aerial, surface, and littoral clutter signatures.

• Multi-role VLS cells allow the platform to undertake layered air defence, anti-ship strikes, and emerging surface-to-undersea engagement profiles.

• Modular mission bay design supports rapid reconfiguration for unmanned systems (UAV / USV / UUV), aligning with networked maritime-domain awareness strategies.

• Aviation facilities significantly expand sensor reach and ASW effectiveness, particularly when paired with embarked helicopters equipped with dipping sonars and sonobuoys.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA