After the launch of KRI Balaputradewa (322), Indonesia acquired licences for the construction of two more Balaputradewa-class (Formerly Merah Putih) frigates.
Indonesia has decided to expand its Arrowhead 140-derived Balaputradewa-class frigates by acquiring licences for two more frigates, according to Navy Lookout’s report. Initially, when the frigates were more commonly known as Merah Putih-class, the planned count was two ships.
PT PAL launched the lead ship KRI Balaputradewa (322) towards the end of 2025, with a mockup of ROKETSAN’s MİDLAS VLS visible for fitting validation. The ships are planned to carry 64 MİDLAS cells capable of using HİSAR-D medium-range air defence, SİPER Block 1-D long-range air defence, and ATMACA anti-ship missiles. This will render the frigate class as the most potent in terms of firepower throughout Indonesia’s surface combatant fleet.
Balaputradewa-class frigates are also set to use other critical systems from Turkiye, such as ASELSAN’s CENK 350-N X-band multi-function AESA radars and CENK 400-N S-band AESA searching radar. Exports of both radars were announced.
CENK 400-N alongside MİDLAS is currently operational on the lead ship of the Turkish I-class frigates, TCG İstanbul (F515).
