Indonesia’s Merah Putih frigate, based on Arrowhead 140, was spotted at the shipyard with preparations for ASELSAN’s CENK 350-N AESA radars on the mast.
A photo shared by Indonesia-based Padepokan Keris shows that Indonesia’s future Merah Putih-class frigate has been fitted with the mast section that will accommodate ASELSAN’s new CENK 350-N fixed AESA radar suite.
CENK 350-N’s existence was revealed alongside the detailed equipment information on Merah Putih-class frigates. Later on, during the radar’s unveiling at IDEF2025, it was stated that CENK 350-N’s first export contract was already signed.
CENK 350-N is a fixed array multi-function X-band AESA radar consisting of four arrays, each covering 70 degrees in elevation and collectively covering 360 degrees in azimuth. The radar can operate at ranges up to 250 km.
Another ASELSAN radar included in the main contract is the CENK 200-N (MAR-D) X-band searching radar with a range of 100 km, which doubles as a helicopter support radar. Rotating type CENK 400-N S-band AESA radar is also likely to be included with a longer range compared to CENK 350-N.
Future Members of the CENK Radar Family
In addition to CENK 350-N, ASELSAN is currently developing four other naval AESA searching/multi-function radars. Two of these are CENK 300-N for fast attack craft or lightweight corvettes and highly compact CENK 100-N for self-defence against UAVs. Additionally, CENK 500-N (ÇFR) X-band multi-function radar and CENK 600-N (UMR) S-band searching radar, as parts of ÇAFRAD dual-band radar suite, will be used on TF-2000 AAW destroyers of the Turkish Navy.
Turkiye's Share in Merah Putih-class Frigates' Equipment
Merah Putih-class frigates consist of two ships for the Indonesian Navy. With a dense load of sensors and weaponry, the ships will be the most heavily armed surface combatants in Indonesia’s fleet following their entry into service.
In addition to extensive use of ASELSAN’s radars, the ships are likely to use ROKETSAN’s MİDLAS VLS with 64 cells, capable of firing HİSAR-D, ATMACA, and SİPER Block 1-D missiles. MİDLAS was included within the FFBNW category, which means it is to be handled under a separate contract.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
