Named after Indonesia’s founding father and first president, Soekarno, the launching marks the first time in the TNI AL history that a warship has been named after a president
The ship’s construction began with the first steel cutting and keel laying ceremony which took place on June 9, 2022. Two weeks later, a ship naming ceremony was held in Jakarta. It was attended by Soekarno’s daughter and the 5th President of Indonesia, Ms. Megawati Soekarnoputri. At that time, the navy said that the ship would cost Rp300 billion (US$20 million). Yet, it is not clear whether the figure includes sensor and weapon systems.
KRI Bung Karno will replace the current ageing presidential warship, a German-built 57-metre long Fast Patrol Boat (FPB-57-class), KRI Barakuda (814), which condition is deteriorating as it is in service since 1995. However, KRI Barakuda will not be retired but modernised so that it can fully return to its original function as a patrol ship.
KRI Bung Karno is 73 metres long, 12 meters wide, weighs 650 tons, and can accommodate up to 55 personnel. Powered by two diesel engines, it can reach a maximum speed of 24 knots with a cruising speed of 20 knots. To support its VVIP transport role, the ship has a high level of security systems and a luxurious interior, according to TNI AL.
The ship will be equipped with not only air, surface, and underwater sensors, but also an electronic warfare system. In addition, the corvette will be armed with a 40mm main gun (from Leonardo based on several reports), two 20mm cannons, and short-range surface-to-air missiles (SIMBAD RC by MBDA). To add more flexibility to the type of missions it can perform, the ship also features a helideck capable of landing a medium-sized helicopter such as AS565 Panther and, judging by its design, has some kind of mission bay under the helideck which could presumably launch and recover Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB). As it is much more capable than its predecessor, KRI Bung Karno can also be deployed to support naval operations throughout Indonesia’s archipelago. As an illustration, in 2021, KRI Barakuda shadowed a Chinese survey ship, Yuang Wang 6. It also sailed alongside a French Rubis-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), FS Émeraude (S604), and a Floréal-class frigate, FS Vendémiaire, when both vessels transited Indonesian waters.
KRI Bung Karno will be manned by around 45 sailors and put under the command of TNI AL 1st Fleet. The corvette will be stationed in Jakarta so that it can be used by the president, or other high-ranking government officials, on short notice, including for diplomatic events. During the launching ceremony, TNI AL Chief of Staff, Admiral Muhammad Ali, stated that KRI Bung Karno will become fully operational by June.
PT Karimun Anugerah Sejati had previously delivered a number of ships for the Indonesian Navy. For example, in 2016, the shipyard delivered two PC-40-class patrol boats, KRI Torani (860) and KRI Lepu (861). In 2018, it launched two small training ships, KAL V-07 and KAL V-06. Furthermore, in 2020, the company delivered another two PC-40s, KRI Karotang (872) and KRI Mata Bongsang (873) to TNI AL.