From May 20 to 24, a French Navy’s Aquitaine-class FREMM frigate, FS Bretagne (D655), made a port visit to Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of her deployment to the Indo-Pacifi Region. On May 22, the ship hosted dozens of Indonesian defence officials, academics, journalists, and other key stakeholders, including representatives from some Indonesian defence companies.
Growing naval partnership between France and Indonesia
In their remarks, the French Ambassador to Indonesia, Fabien Penone, and FS Bretagne’s commanding officer, Capt. Gwenegan Le Bourhis, highlighted the growing strategic partnership between Indonesia and France. Capt. Gwenegan also mentioned the French Navy’s desire to increase its cooperation and interoperability with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).
Additionally, he explained FS Bretagne’s capabilities and how in April another French Navy’s FREMM, FS Alsace (D656), managed to shoot down three ballistic missiles in the Red Sea, thus demonstrating the class’ proven combat performance.
FDI Frigate Proposal to Indonesia
The Indonesian delegation that boarded FS Bretagne, which includes TNI AL Deputy Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Erwin S. Aldedharma, also received a presentation on the FDI frigate. It is stated that FDI is aligned perfectly with TNI AL’s need for rapid surface combatant construction and collaborative combat fleet operations, as well as its growing concerns over cyber and electronic threats in naval warfare.
One of the main features of the FDI pointed out by Naval Group representatives is its status as the first “digital frigate”. This designation underscores the ship’s incorporation of digital and cybersecurity considerations from the initial design phase. Another key characteristic of the FDI that was presented to TNI AL officials is its Radar Cross Section (RCS) reduction and low magnetic, infrared, and electronic signatures.
Furthermore, the FDI is offered in a full multi-mission configuration, meaning that TNI AL could get all of the anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface, asymmetric, and electronic warfare sensors and weapons. This includes 32x SYLVER VLS for ASTER 15 and 30 missiles, CANTO acoustic decoys, Sea Fire 4D AESA multi-function radar, as well as hull-mounted, variable depth, and towed array sonars.
Moreover, similar to the FDI that is currently being built for French and Hellenic Navies, the Indonesian FDI will be equipped with two data centres, a centralised cybersecurity management system, and a dedicated Asymmetric Warfare centre which includes a 360⁰ day-and-night optronic surveillance system with high-resolution display and augmented reality.
One data centre is enough to manage the entire FDI’s functions, while the second data centre stands ready to take over immediately if needed, for instance, if the first data centre was paralysed due to cyber/kinetic attacks. This is part of FDI’s digital redundancy capability, according to Naval Group representatives.
CMS and Data Link
For the combat management system (CMS), the Indonesian FDI will also use the SETIS®, enabling TNI AL to join the ‘SETIS Club’ with other navies around the globe that use the CMS. Naval Group explained that through this club, TNI AL can learn from other navies’ experiences with SETIS and, if desired, share its own insights. Additionally, TNI AL would have the opportunity to request tailored software upgrades to meet its specific needs.
Naval Group representatives added that the CETIS is fully interoperable with SUBTICS® CMS that will be installed on two of Indonesia’s Scorpène Evolved.
To accommodate TNI AL’s requirement for its future fleet to be integrated with unamended platforms, the FDI is offered with I4®Drones Management/Mission Software and a dedicated UAV hangar. Depending on Indonesia’s request, the FDI can also be installed with different Tactical Data Link networks, including Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, and Link Y.
Interestingly, during the presentation, it was emphasised that FDI is an ITAR-free warship.
Local Production, Maintenance, and Readiness
Naval News received additional explanations that the first FDI for Indonesia could be constructed in France in 36 months and the subsequent FDI will be built locally by Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder, PT PAL Indonesia. However, similar to the Scorpène Evolved, France is also open to the idea of full local production from the first ship.
PT PAL Indonesia told Naval News that it is also interested in the FDI, especially with the “digital frigate” aspect, and would welcome the local production idea.
A comprehensive education and training programme for the TNI AL personnel who will operate the ship has also been proposed. For maintenance, the FDI will feature an integrated predictive maintenance system, designed to anticipate and address potential issues before they become critical.
When it comes to readiness, the FDI is designed with an endurance of 45 days and up to 300 days of technical availability per year. The ship could also have a lifespan of more than 30 years.
TNI AL Chief of Staff visiting Naval Group shipyard
Just three days before FS Bretagne’s port visit to Jakarta, the Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff, Adm. Muhammad Ali, toured Naval Group’s shipyard in Lorient, France. Admiral Ali boarded the first FDI frigate, Amiral Ronarc’h, for the French Navy (Marine Nationale), and saw its construction progress.
In the following interview with Naval News‘ editor-in-chief, Admiral Ali shared his opinion about the FDI as well as some aspects of Indonesian Navy’s future procurement plans :
“FDI is a very modern warship….it could be one of our procurement options in the future”
Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff, Adm. Muhammad Ali – May 17, 2014
