The Indonesian Navy has officially accepted its second Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) class vessel, KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321, during a delivery ceremony at the company’s Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia, Italy, on 22 December 2025. According to information released by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the handover marks a significant milestone in Indonesia’s naval modernisation efforts and its expanding defence partnership with Italy, as Jakarta completes its acquisition of two advanced multi-mission surface combatants originally designed for the Italian Navy.
The ceremony underscored the political and strategic importance attached to the program. Senior military leaders from both countries were present, including Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, and Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, Chief of the Italian Navy. The event was also attended by Indonesia’s Ambassador to Italy, H.E. Prof. Dr. Junimart Girsang, alongside Fincantieri’s top leadership, including CEO and Managing Director Pierroberto Folgiero and Senior Vice President for Sales Eugenio Santagata. Their joint presence highlighted the growing convergence between Rome and Jakarta as both nations navigate increasingly complex maritime security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
The delivery of KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 concludes a two-ship acquisition secured under a €1.18 billion contract signed in March 2024 between Fincantieri and Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence. The agreement, formalized in the presence of senior Italian defense officials, was framed within broader bilateral defense cooperation initiatives supported by the Italian Ministry of Defence. For Rome, the deal reflects a strategic ambition to deepen industrial, military, and diplomatic ties with Southeast Asia. For Jakarta, it represents a decisive step toward fielding more capable, flexible surface combatants able to operate across a vast and demanding maritime domain.
Under the contract, Indonesia acquired two PPA-class vessels that were already under construction for the Italian Navy at Fincantieri’s integrated Riva Trigoso–Muggiano shipyard complex. Rather than starting from a clean-sheet design, Jakarta opted to reallocate and customize these ships to meet Indonesian operational requirements, accelerating delivery timelines while reducing technical risk. As prime contractor, Fincantieri is responsible not only for platform delivery but also for coordinating the integration of the combat management system and sensors supplied by Leonardo, as well as long-term logistics, training, and support packages. The transaction was carried out in compliance with all relevant national and international regulatory frameworks.
Indonesia’s interest in the PPA design was significantly shaped by operational exposure. In July 2023, the Italian Navy’s Francesco Morosini, the second ship of the PPA class, visited Indonesia as part of a wider Indo-Pacific deployment. The port call offered Indonesian naval planners a firsthand look at the class’s flexibility, endurance, and systems integration. That visit is widely seen as a catalyst for a new phase of defense-industrial cooperation between Italy and Indonesia, extending beyond ship procurement to potential future collaboration in training, sustainment, and maritime security initiatives.
KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 joins its sister ship, KRI Brawijaya-320, which was delivered in July 2025. Both vessels are configured in the PPA “Light Plus” variant, a balanced configuration that combines credible combat power with the versatility needed for peacetime presence missions, maritime security operations, and humanitarian assistance. For the Indonesian Navy, which must patrol one of the world’s largest archipelagic maritime zones, this multi-role flexibility is a critical force multiplier.
The PPA program was developed by Fincantieri under Italy’s national naval renewal plan and is characterized by a modular architecture that allows the same basic hull to be adapted across Light, Light Plus, and Full combat configurations. In the Light Plus form selected by Indonesia, the ships are optimized for high-end naval warfare while retaining the ability to conduct patrol, disaster relief, and civil protection missions.
Technically, KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 is powered by a Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) propulsion system with an electric drive, enabling speeds in excess of 31 knots. The propulsion arrangement offers improved fuel efficiency and reduced acoustic signatures, an important consideration for anti-submarine warfare. The ship has a core crew of around 171 personnel, with accommodations designed to support long deployments and embarked mission teams.
The combat system centers on Leonardo’s Kronos Grand Naval active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, providing simultaneous air and surface surveillance. The main gun is a 127/64 LW naval gun from OTO Melara, capable of firing Vulcano precision-guided ammunition for extended-range and land-attack missions. Vertical launch systems allow for the employment of MBDA Aster 15 or Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, while secondary armament includes remotely operated 25mm weapon stations and a close-in weapon system for point defense. An advanced electronic warfare suite and decoy launchers enhance survivability in contested environments.
Aviation facilities further expand the ship’s mission set. A full-length flight deck and enclosed hangar can support medium naval helicopters such as the AW101 or AS565 Panther, while a stern ramp and side cranes enable rapid deployment of rigid-hull inflatable boats for interdiction, special operations, and search-and-rescue tasks. Stealth-oriented hull shaping and radar-absorbing materials reduce radar and infrared signatures, improving survivability against modern threats.
Beyond the ships themselves, the program carries broader strategic implications. Fincantieri has positioned itself as a key European naval supplier in Southeast Asia, while Indonesia is signaling a growing willingness to invest in high-end Western naval technology to safeguard its maritime sovereignty. As Jakarta refines its maritime doctrine in response to intensifying geostrategic competition, the commissioning of KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 represents not just a fleet expansion, but a clear statement of intent: to operate a modern, credible navy capable of protecting national interests across one of the world’s most contested maritime regions.
