Merah Putih Frigate: Indonesia Begins Construction of The First Arrowhead 140 Frigate

14 Januari 2023

First steel cutting ceremony of Merah Putih frigate based on Arrowhead 140 (photos : istimewa)

According to Indonesian media, the first of the two Arrowhead 140 frigates has begun construction. The main contractor of the project is the Indonesian state-owned shipbuilding company PT PAL. 

The Steel Cutting Ceremony was held on December 9, 2022, at PT PAL's premises in Surabaya. 

The class of frigates known in Indonesia is the Merah Putih, which is a Type 31 frigate designed by Babcock International. It was also marketed as the Arrowhead 140 and was based on the hull of the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate.

Babcock International agreed to transfer the design to PT PAL until an agreement sign in September 2021. The design has been modified to match Indonesian specifications and desired subsystem.

Indonesia's Merah Putih will have a length of about 138.7m, a width of 19.8m, a displacement of 5,700 tons and a crew of 100. The first frigate is expected to be delivered to the Indonesian Navy in 2026. It will significantly increase the surface power of the Indonesian Navy.

Until now there has been no confirmation from the Ministry of Defense and PT PAL on the event (photo : istimewa)

Arrowhead 140 Frigate

The Arrowhead 140 design is based on the Royal Danish Navy's three-ship Iver Huitfeldt class which were commissioned between January and November 2011.

The design emphasizes modular adaptability and flexible design construction to suit export customers. It is a multi-mission surface combatant capable of conducting AAW (Anti Air Warfare), ASuW (Anti Surface Warfare), ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare), and EW (Electronic Warfare) operations and is operationally proficient in both blue water and littoral areas.

Babcock has also optimized the design of the Arrowhead 140 to reduce maintenance costs, minimize the potential risks during missions and operate in adverse environmental conditions.

The vessel is equipped with a Thales tactical information and command system (TACTICOS), the combines Combat Operations and Maritime Security Operations in one CMS (Combat Management System). 

The propulsion system of the Arrowhead 140 frigate is a Combined diesel and diesel type including four MTU 20V 8000 M71 diesel engines and MTU 16V 2000 M41B generators.

The vessel can reach a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h) with a maximum endurance of 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km). 

The weapon configuration of the Indonesian frigate is unknown. 

(Asian Defense)