Indonesia has officially received KRI Brawijaya-320, the first of two state-of-the-art Multipurpose Combat Ships (MPCS) constructed by Italian defense giant Fincantieri, in a handover ceremony held at the Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia. The ceremony, attended by top defense and diplomatic officials from both countries, marks a key milestone in Indonesia’s ambitious naval modernization efforts and growing military-industrial ties with Europe.
The event brought together prominent figures such as Admiral Muhammad Ali of the Indonesian Navy, Italian Navy Chief Admiral Enrico Credendino, Indonesia’s Ambassador Junimart Girsang, and Fincantieri Chairman Biagio Mazzotta—emphasizing the strategic importance of this bilateral defense relationship. The transfer symbolizes not just the delivery of an advanced warship, but also a deepening of cooperation in training, logistics, and defense technology exchange.
Originally commissioned for the Italian Navy under the name Marcantonio Colonna (P433), the ship was reconfigured and upgraded to meet Indonesia’s specific operational needs following a €1.18 billion contract signed in March 2024. Under this agreement, Italy committed to delivering two fully equipped vessels—KRI Brawijaya-320 and KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321—alongside extensive training and support packages to ensure seamless integration into Indonesia’s naval fleet.
KRI Brawijaya-320 stands as one of the most powerful and technologically sophisticated ships to ever sail under the Indonesian flag. The 143-meter-long, 6,270-ton vessel boasts a CODAG propulsion system, blending GE/Avio LM2500+G4 gas turbines and MTU diesel engines to achieve speeds over 31 knots. It has a cruising range of 5,000 nautical miles and a crew capacity of 171—enabling long-range, multi-day operations in open seas.
Its weapon suite includes a 127mm main gun, 76mm secondary gun, remote-controlled 25mm cannons, vertical launch cells for Aster missiles, Teseo Mk-2E anti-ship missiles, and triple 324mm torpedo launchers—a configuration placing the vessel firmly in the high-end combat category. A dual hangar and flight deck support the deployment of helicopters such as the AS565 Panther or AW101, enhancing air-sea integration and mission flexibility.
The ship is built on a modular platform, enabling it to carry out a spectrum of missions ranging from frontline combat to maritime security, disaster response, and humanitarian operations. Its arrival signifies a major leap forward in Indonesia’s ability to secure its maritime borders, monitor vast archipelagic waters, and assert presence across contested sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific.
Beyond the hardware, this delivery cements a deeper alignment between Jakarta and Rome on defense priorities. As China’s naval footprint expands in regional waters, Indonesia’s push for blue-water capabilities becomes increasingly vital. The KRI Brawijaya-320 not only enhances operational strength but also stands as a symbol of Indonesia’s emerging status as a key player in maritime security within Southeast Asia.
The forthcoming commissioning of KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 will further consolidate this momentum. Together, these vessels anchor a future fleet that is more capable, interoperable, and strategically aligned with partners sharing the goal of a free and stable Indo-Pacific.
