In the historical naval port of La Spezia, Italy, a symbolic turning point in Southeast Asia’s maritime security was reached. Under blue Mediterranean skies, Fincantieri, Europe’s largest naval shipbuilder, formally delivered the KRI Brawijaya-320 to the Indonesian Navy in a ceremony marked by ceremony, diplomacy, and deep strategic meaning. The ship—once known as Marcantonio Colonna (P433) in the Italian Navy’s order of battle—is now reborn as Indonesia’s most formidable warship.
The delivery marks the culmination of an ambitious €1.18 billion bilateral defense agreement inked on March 28, 2024. The pact, facilitated by the Italian Ministry of Defence, not only involved the construction and transfer of two cutting-edge Multipurpose Combat Ships (MPCS)—designated KRI Brawijaya-320 and its sister ship KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321—but also encompassed a suite of auxiliary services. These include industrial training, comprehensive logistics support, and crew familiarization—all testament to the growing strategic and technological bond between Jakarta and Rome.
The KRI Brawijaya-320, now the flagship of the Indonesian fleet, represents more than just a ship. It signifies Indonesia’s determined push to recalibrate its naval posture amid intensifying geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific. With its extensive territorial waters, strategic straits, and complex maritime security challenges, Indonesia has long faced a mismatch between its ambitions and its fleet capabilities. This vessel begins to close that gap.
“The handover of this vessel reflects Indonesia’s serious intent to protect its maritime sovereignty and play a proactive role in regional security,” said Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, during the La Spezia handover. “We are not only acquiring a ship; we are acquiring knowledge, technology, and a long-term partner.”
Indeed, the Brawijaya-320 and its forthcoming twin Prabu Siliwangi-321 mark Indonesia’s largest surface combatants to date. Designed with Italian expertise but tailored for Indonesian strategic priorities, these vessels can operate independently or as part of a larger task force in high-intensity conflict, surveillance missions, disaster relief, and humanitarian operations.
At 143 meters long and with a full-load displacement of 6,270 tons, the KRI Brawijaya-320 combines size with agility. Its propulsion is based on a powerful Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) system—featuring a General Electric/Avio LM2500+G4 gas turbine and twin MTU 20V 8000 M91L diesel engines—enabling the ship to reach speeds exceeding 31 knots. Its 5,000 nautical mile range ensures it can project power across Indonesia’s vast maritime domain, from the Malacca Strait to Papua’s easternmost waters.
Its combat systems are no less formidable. A Leonardo-built 127 mm/64 caliber main gun dominates its forward deck, supported by a 76 mm/62 secondary gun and two 25 mm remotely operated weapon stations. Sixteen vertical launch cells, capable of housing Aster 15 or 30 surface-to-air missiles, provide robust air defense. The ship also mounts eight Teseo Mk-2E anti-ship missiles and triple 324 mm torpedo launchers, reinforcing its ability to confront both surface and subsurface threats.
Notably, the vessel supports a dual hangar and flight deck, capable of operating either two AS565 Panther helicopters or a single heavier AW101. This rotary-wing capability enhances anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime patrol, and SAR operations—functions increasingly vital in Indonesia’s diverse archipelagic environment.
One of the ship’s standout features is its modular design, enabling rapid reconfiguration based on mission type. This aligns with Italy’s PPA (Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura) philosophy—flexible, scalable vessels that can shift from constabulary roles to high-intensity warfare. For Indonesia, which must balance counter-piracy in the Makassar Strait with patrols in the South China Sea and disaster response in the Pacific Ring of Fire, this adaptability is invaluable.
From civil protection to surveillance and escort duties, the Brawijaya-320 is purpose-built for the complex spectrum of 21st-century naval missions. Indonesia now possesses a ship capable of projecting deterrence, responding to emergencies, and underpinning regional maritime stability.
The KRI Brawijaya-320 began life as Marcantonio Colonna, part of the Italian Navy’s own PPA procurement plan. However, amid changing Italian fleet requirements and Indonesia’s urgent need for high-capability warships, both governments agreed on a transfer plan. Italy would deliver two PPA-class vessels originally earmarked for its navy, upgrading them with mission-specific equipment and personnel training geared toward Indonesian standards.
This arrangement served both sides. Italy advanced its shipbuilding diplomacy and deepened ties in Asia, while Indonesia leapfrogged a decade of indigenous development and procurement delays by acquiring near-complete, modern warships.
Fincantieri Chairman Biagio Mazzotta highlighted the broader context during the delivery ceremony: “This transfer is not merely commercial. It symbolizes strategic convergence and mutual trust between two major maritime nations. Fincantieri is proud to support Indonesia’s naval aspirations and to be part of a vision for a safer Indo-Pacific.”
This transaction is emblematic of a broader shift. Italy, long focused on the Mediterranean and Atlantic spheres, is increasingly looking eastward. The delivery of Brawijaya-320 reinforces Italy’s defense-industrial outreach to Southeast Asia and its commitment to supporting rules-based maritime security.
Meanwhile, for Indonesia, this deal is more than procurement—it is partnership. The contract includes extensive training programs for Indonesian engineers and naval officers, many of whom have already been integrated into Fincantieri’s facilities in Muggiano and Riva Trigoso. This knowledge transfer ensures long-term sustainability and lays groundwork for future co-production or joint ventures.
The presence of Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani, Italy’s National Armaments Director, and Admiral Enrico Credendino, Chief of the Italian Navy, alongside Indonesian Ambassador Junimart Girsang, underscored the political and military weight behind the delivery event. It is rare for such a high-level delegation to attend a single-ship handover, further illustrating the deal’s significance.
The arrival of the Brawijaya-320 sends clear signals to the region. Indonesia is ready to assume greater responsibility for maritime governance in Southeast Asia. This comes at a time when tensions in the South China Sea remain unresolved, illegal fishing continues to drain marine resources, and transnational crime moves through porous borders.
The new ship bolsters Indonesia’s ability to act both unilaterally and multilaterally. Whether conducting joint patrols with ASEAN navies or hosting multilateral naval exercises like KOMODO, Brawijaya-320 offers enhanced capability and credibility.
Furthermore, its arrival could act as a force multiplier for Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA) and reinforce President Joko Widodo’s long-standing “Global Maritime Fulcrum” vision—an effort to reassert Indonesia as a central node in Indo-Pacific maritime affairs.
The second vessel, KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321, is currently undergoing final outfitting and trials and is expected to be delivered by late 2025. Both vessels will form the vanguard of a rejuvenated Indonesian Navy that aspires to shift from a green-water force to a more capable blue-water navy.
Yet, even as Indonesia welcomes foreign-built ships, the country remains committed to building indigenous capacity. The experience gained from this deal—especially in systems integration and maintenance—will feed into the ongoing efforts at PT PAL, Indonesia’s primary naval shipyard in Surabaya, which is expected to take on greater roles in upcoming shipbuilding programs.
