The Merah Putih-class frigate, a variant of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, which itself is derived from the Royal Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate, is being built by PT PAL Indonesia in Surabaya. Construction of the first ship-in-class began with the steel-cutting ceremony on December 9, 2022. The ship’s keel was laid down on 25 August 2025. Variants of the Arrowhead 140 are also being developed for other navies, including the United Kingdom’s Inspiration-class (Type 31) and Poland’s Miecznik program.
The frigate’s equipment is categorized as “Fitted For, But Not With” (FFBNW) and “Main Contract Equipment”, with most weapons and sensors supplied by Turkish firms (Aselsan, Meteksan, Roketsan, and Havelsan) as well as Italian defense companies (Leonardo and ELT Group).
The FFBNW systems include:
- CENK 400-N (referred as CENK-S aboard Turkish Navy news frigate TCG Istanbul) 3D S-band AESA long-range air and surface surveillance radar from Aselsan
- Two of the four LIONFISH 12.7 TOP remote weapon stations (RWS) from Leonardo
- Two B515/3 triple 324mm torpedo launchers from Leonardo for MU90 LWT torpedoes
- MİDLAS Universal Vertical Launching System (VLS) from Roketsan, consisting of eight 8-cell modules (totaling 64 cells) for various surface-to-air (SAM) and surface-to-surface (SSM) missiles. This is the most important weapon system on board the new frigate but paradoxically it is not included in the main contract!
- One of the two 76mm naval gun systems from Leonardo, installed at the bow in tandem position (B position).
The Main Contract Equipment includes:
- METE HAN X-band multi-function radar (MFR) from Aselsan, mounted on the main mast:
- “METE” is the name of CAFRAD’s X-Band module which comprises fixed face radar antennas
- “HAN” is the name of the IFF unit on the top of the CAFRAD, comprises omni-directional antenna. However, the image paradoxically identifies Leonardo as the IFF supplier with likely the SIR-M-PA or another SIR-M IFF and MSSR (Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar) interrogator
- Electronic Warfare (EW) suite from ELT Group, including R-ESM, C-ESM, COMINT and R-ECM capabilities (potentially identical to the ZEUS suite used on PPA-class vessels Indonesia acquired) with the R-ECM jammers not clearly identifiable in the diagram
- MAR-D/CENK-200-N 3D X-band air and surface surveillance and helicopter approach radar from Aselsan, positioned on a secondary mast aft. The system also equips the upgraded Barbaros-class (MEKO 200 TN Track IIA/B) frigates.
- FERSAH hull-mounted sonar (HMS) from Aselsan
- ADVENT combat management system (CMS) and Combat Information Center (CIC) equipment from Havelsan
- Target Designation Sights (TDS) from Aselsan
- Two fire control radars, likely STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 from Thales or AKREP-100/200 from Aselsan or NA-30S Mk2 from Leonardo
- Rheinmetall Oerlikon MILLENNIUM GUN 35mm Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). The weapon system also equips the Mardatinata-class (SIGMA 10514) light frigates
- One of the two 76mm naval gun systems from Leonardo, installed at the bow in tandem position (A position).
- At least eight KARTACA-N six-tube 130mm decoy launching systems (DLS) from Aselsan
- Aselsan might also provide navigation radars, laser warning systems, IRST system, torpedo defense system and SATCOM equipment
Naval News comments
Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL is well underway with the construction of both ships at its facility in Surabaya City, East Java.
Based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, the Merah Putih frigate is expected to be Indonesia’s largest and most advanced surface combatant ever constructed. With a 140-meter length and a displacement of 5,996 tons, it marks a significant milestone in the country’s naval shipbuilding capabilities.
The Merah Putih frigate will have a Combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion with a maximum speed of 28 knots (full load) and an endurance of 9,000nm at a speed of 18 knots.
The majority of the frigate’s sensor suite will be supplied by Türkiye’s leading defense company, Aselsan. One of the most notable components of this suite is the METE HAN multifunctional radar, which integrates the X-BAND and IFF modules from CAFRAD—Turkiye’s most advanced air surveillance radar. CAFRAD is set to serve as the primary sensor for the TF-2000 AAW destroyers, construction of which began last month.
While Indonesian officials have not disclosed a specific timeline for the project, it appears that Indonesia may become the launch customer for this radar, or at least a downscaled version of it.
In addition to its advanced radar suite, the frigate will be equipped with Havelsan’s ADVENT combat management system (CMS), which is designed for network-centric warfare. The Turkish Navy has already tested the CENK-S AESA radar and MAR-D surveillance radar in conjunction with ADVENT CMS on I-class frigates.
Dimitri Mitsopoulos story with additional reporting by Tayfun Ozberk
