KRI Balaputradewa

KRI Balaputradewa (322) is the lead ship of the Balaputradewa-class frigate of the Indonesian Navy. Built by PAL Indonesia shipyard based on Babcock International's Arrowhead 140 design, it is the first frigate to be wholly constructed in Indonesia.^[1][2]

KRI Balaputradewa at its launching ceremony
History
Indonesia
Name	KRI Balaputradewa
Namesake	Balaputra of Srivijaya
Ordered	30 April 2020
Builder	PAL Indonesia, Surabaya
Yard number	W000304
Laid down	25 August 2023
Launched	18 December 2025
Identification	Pennant number: 322
Status	Fitting out
General characteristics
Class & type	Balaputradewa-class frigate
Displacement	6,626 t (6,521 long tons) (full)
Length	140 m (459 ft 4 in)
Beam	19.75 m (64 ft 10 in)
Propulsion	CODAD propulsion system
Speed	28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Range	9,000 nmi (17,000 km; 10,000 mi)
Endurance	21 days
Complement	143
Sensors & processing systems	CMS: Havelsan ADVENT CMS Radar: Aselsan CENK 350-N (Mete Han) multi-function phased array radar Aselsan CENK 400-N surveillance radar Aselsan AKR-D fire control radar Aselsan MAR-D helicopter control radar Sonar: Aselsan FERSAH hull mounted sonar IFF: Leonardo IFF system
Electronic warfare & decoys	Elettronica RESM and RECM Aselsan HIZIR torpedo countermeasures system 2 × 8 130 mm Aselsan KARTACA-N decoy launcher systems
Armament	2 × Otomelara 76/62 Super Rapid main guns 1 × 35 mm Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium Gun CIWS 2 × 12.7 mm Leonardo Lionfish RCWS 64 × Roketsan MİDLAS VLS for HISAR MR and SIPER LR surface-to-air missile Atmaca anti-ship missiles 2 x 3 324 mm Leonardo B515/3 torpedo launchers
Aircraft carried	1 × medium-sized helicopter
Aviation facilities	helicopter deck and hangar

Design and description

Further information on ship's armaments, electronics, and sensors, see: Balaputradewa-class frigate § Armaments and sensors

Balaputradewa has a length of 140 m (460 ft), a beam of 19.75 m (64.8 ft) and displacement of 6,626 long tons (6,732 t) at full load.^[3] The ship is powered by combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion system, generating speed of up to 28 knots (52 km/h) at full load and has a range of 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km) while cruising at 18 knots (33 km/h).^[4]

The frigate has a complement of 143 personnel and endurance at sea of up to 21 days.^[3] The ship could carry up to three helicopters.^[5]

Construction and career

The Ministry of Defense of Indonesia ordered the construction of two frigates to the local state-owned shipyard PT PAL Indonesia on 30 April 2020.^[6] The ship construction was started on 9 December 2022 with the first steel cut ceremony at PAL Indonesia shipyard in Surabaya.^[7] The frigate's keel was laid down on 25 August 2023, with construction number W000304.^[8]

During his visit to the shipyard in January 2025, the defense minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin planned that the frigate was to be launched in June 2025.^[9] As the ship is yet to be launched by the planned time, the Ministry of Defense decided on 24 June 2025 to postpone the launch date to the 27 October 2025.^[10] A press release by the House of Representatives in early December 2025 stated that the ship would be launched on 18 December.^[5]

The frigate was officially named as KRI Balaputradewa by Mrs. Yayuk Donny Ermawan, spouse of the Deputy Minister of Defense Donny Ermawan Taufanto, on the night of 18 December 2025. Shortly thereafter, the ship is ceremonially launched at its graving dock in the PAL Indonesia's shipyard.^[11] Balaputradewa was then towed out of the Orca Dock for fitting.^[2]