Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has formally renamed two MPCS (Multipurpose Combat Ship/PPA) vessels acquired by the Indonesia at its shipyard in Muggiano, the company announced on 29 January.
The two ships, originally built as the fifth and sixth units for the Italian Navy and formerly named Marcantonio Colonna and Ruggiero di Lauria, were formally renamed KRI BRAWIJAYA-320 and KRI PRABU SILIWANGI-321 at a ceremony witnessed by Indonesian navy chief Admiral Muhammad Ali, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, as well as senior company officials.
Built at Fincantieri’s integrated Riva Trigoso-Muggiano shipyard, the new vessels will be the largest combat ships in the Indonesian Navy and are expected to strengthen Indonesia’s ability to safeguard its maritime interests. Both vessels were sold to Indonesia under a 2024 contract worth approximately €1.18 billion.
The Italian Navy had been part of an aggressive marketing campaign to boost awareness and interest in the Indo-Pacific, with MPCS/PPA vessels – also known as the Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessels in Italian service – Francesco Morosini and Raimondo Montecuccoli having conducted high-profile visits Indonesia in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
The new ships are scheduled for delivery to the Indonesian Navy in 2025.
According to Fincantieri, the MPCS/PPA is a highly versatile platform designed to perform a wide range of missions, including combat operations, maritime patrol, rescue, and civil protection activities. Depending on the configuration, the vessels displace between 5,800 and 6,300 tonnes.
When configured as a ‘light’ variant, the Italian Navy’s PPAs are armed with a Leonardo 127/64 mm main gun, a 76/62 mm secondary gun, and two 25 mm remote control guns. The service’s first- and second-of-class vessels are configured as ‘light’ variants.
Meanwhile, the ‘light plus’ variant of the PPA includes anti-air warfare capabilities with MBDA’s surface-to-air anti-missile system extended self-defence (SAAM ESD) guided-weapon system as well as Leonardo’s Kronos Quad C-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Italy’s third PPA is configured as such.
by Jr Ng
