JAKARTA: (Bernama) Indonesia’s newest multi-purpose frigate, the KRI Brawijaya-320, crewed by 160 personnel, arrived in Jakarta on Monday (Sept 8), providing a significant boost to the country’s maritime defence.
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, accompanied by Armed Forces Commander General Agus Subiyanto and Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Ali, welcomed the vessel, South-East Asia’s largest multi-role warship, the ministry said in a statement.
The frigate docked at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta after a voyage from Italy covering 9,189 nautical miles, with stops in Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka.
The commissioning and handover of the first of two frigates, purchased for a total of US$1.25 billion, took place on July 2 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano, one of the world’s leading naval shipbuilders.
The 143-metre frigate, capable of speeds of up to 32 knots and with a displacement of nearly 6,000 tonnes, is armed with advanced weaponry for anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine and electronic warfare.
Sjafrie described the frigate as a key component of Indonesia’s strategic maritime defence, adding that the next ship, KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321, is expected to join the fleet soon. - Bernama
