Indonesian Navy welcomes second multipurpose combat ship in Italy

December 23, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The Indonesian Navy has taken delivery of the second multipurpose combat ship (PPA) KRI PRABU SILIWANGI-321 from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.

As informed, the delivery ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia) on December 22, 2025.

The delivery of the vessel follows that of its sister, KRI BRAWIJAYA-320, delivered last July, completing the supply of the two boats built by Fincantieri. The ships will form the Indonesian Navy’s largest combat units, as well as the most technologically advanced units in the Indo-Pacific.

The two PPAs represent a strategic element for the stability of the Asian region and the protection of Indonesian national interests, according to Fincantieri.

Technical features

The PPA is a highly versatile surface combatant designed to meet a broad spectrum of operational requirements, ranging from high-intensity frontline combat to maritime security, patrol, search and rescue, and civil protection missions. Its flexible design allows the ship to be rapidly reconfigured according to mission needs, making it well-suited for both naval warfare tasks and peacetime operations such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

With an overall length of 143 meters, the PPA combines endurance and seakeeping with high performance. The ship is capable of speeds in excess of 31 knots, enabling rapid response and effective deployment across large maritime areas. A core crew of 171 personnel supports sustained operations while benefiting from a high degree of automation, which reduces manpower requirements and improves operational efficiency.

Propulsion is provided by a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) arrangement complemented by an electric propulsion system. This configuration allows the vessel to switch between propulsion modes depending on mission profile, enhancing fuel economy during patrol operations while retaining the ability to deliver high speed when required. The PPA is also equipped to operate high-speed craft such as RHIBs, which can be deployed and recovered either via a lateral crane or a stern hauling ramp.

To remind, the Italian Navy recently ordered two additional multi-purpose combat ships from shipbuilding major Fincantieri under a contract extension managed by the European intergovernmental organization OCCAR.

The extension was launched within the framework of Italy’s recent Naval Act and covers the construction of two vessels originally intended for export to Indonesia, which will now be retained for domestic service to replace those units. The contract is valued at €700 million and includes work already completed on the ships prior to the change in destination.