Indonesia officially launched its first domestically-built frigate, KRI Balaputradewa-322, on Thursday night, December 18, 2025, at 7:19 PM local time at PT PAL Indonesia's shipyard in Surabaya, East Java, marking a significant milestone in the country's naval defense capabilities.
The shipnaming ceremony was led by Yayuk Donny Ermawan Taufanto, wife of Deputy Minister of Defense Donny Ermawan Taufanto, through the symbolic cutting of the kendi rope, while the launch itself was conducted by the Deputy Defense Minister representing Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
The KRI Balaputradewa-322 measures 140 meters in length with a beam of 19.75 meters and displaces 6,626 tons at full load, featuring combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion capable of reaching speeds up to 28 knots with a range of 9,000 nautical miles at 18 knots cruising speed.
Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated in his message that the frigate "reflects the nation's technological progress while affirming that Indonesia is capable of building its defense capabilities independently," with the vessel demonstrating the capacity of Indonesia's defense industry to produce modern military equipment and reduce dependence on foreign products.
The frigate is equipped with Turkish-made systems including Roketsan's MIDLAS vertical launch system with 64 cells for air defense missiles and Atmaca anti-ship missiles, along with various Aselsan radars and sensors, representing Indonesia's most advanced warship and designed with four-dimensional combat capabilities including surface-to-surface, surface-to-air, surface-to-submarine, and electronic warfare.
