Turkish companies to outfit Indonesia's Merah Putih frigates – Naval News
Türkiye’s leading defense firms, Aselsan, Havelsan, and Roketsan, will supply key systems for Indonesia’s Merah Putih-class frigates, according to information obtained during the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition held in Jakarta from 11 to 14 June.
The Merah Putih-class is based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, itself derived from the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates of the Royal Danish Navy. The ships are being constructed by PT PAL Indonesia at its Surabaya shipyard, with the lead vessel’s steel cut on 9 December 2022 and keel laid on 25 August 2025.
Under the program’s acquisition framework, systems are classified as “Fitted For, But Not With” (FFBNW) and “Main Contract Equipment.” Turkish and Italian firms dominate the supply list, with Turkish companies taking a central role in combat systems integration.
Aselsan to Deliver Advanced Sensor Suite
Aselsan will provide a comprehensive sensor suite to the Merah Putih frigates. This includes the Mete Han multifunction radar (also known as CENK-350), the CENK-200 (also referred to as MAR-D) radar for helicopter control, and the CENK-400 AESA surveillance radar, currently operational aboard Türkiye’s I-class frigates. These systems form the core of the ships’ situational awareness and air surveillance capability.
In addition, Aselsan will supply data link and IFF systems, the AKREP-200 fire control system for the Atmaca anti-ship missile, and the FERSAH hull-mounted sonar for underwater surveillance.
Company representatives confirmed that three contracts related to these systems have been signed to date. Delivery of all components is planned within a 36-month timeframe.
Havelsan and Roketsan’s Contribution
Havelsan will act as the primary systems integrator, with its ADVENT Combat Management System (CMS) to be installed on the Merah Putih-class frigates. ADVENT has already been adopted more broadly by the Indonesian Navy, which intends to upgrade over 40 ships with the system. As a result, Indonesia is expected to significantly expand its network-centric warfare capabilities.
Installation of ADVENT on the Merah Putih frigates marks a milestone for Havelsan, as it will be the first time the system is integrated into a British-designed hull.
Roketsan will equip the frigates with its MIDLAS vertical launching system, which will host the ATMACA anti-ship missile as the platform’s primary surface strike weapon. The Merah Putih class will be the first platform to launch ATMACA missiles from MIDLAS, making Indonesia the launch customer for this integrated capability.
Naval News was first to cover the VLS-launched version of Atmaca anti-ship missiles at NAVDEX 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi in February 2025.
Strategic and Industrial Implications
The Merah Putih-class program reflects Indonesia’s strategy to develop a modern surface fleet based on international cooperation and domestic construction. The integration of Turkish systems not only strengthens defense ties between Türkiye and Indonesia but also brings operational commonality across a growing number of Indonesian naval platforms.
Arrowhead 140 variants are also in development for the Royal Navy (Type 31 class) and the Polish Navy (Miecznik class), but the Merah Putih program will stand out for its incorporation of Turkish systems and combat management architecture.
Launch Target
According to a statement made by the Indonesian Minister of Defense in January 2025, the first Merah Putih frigate was supposed to be launched in June. However, Naval News understands that the launching ceremony has been pushed back to October. This recent footage by CNN Indonesia shows the current status of the first hull.
During Indo Defence 2025, Naval News also learned that Babcock is ready to assist the project as a design support partner.
Here is Naval News’ interview with Chabibi Nurtahlil from PT Pal on Merah Putih class frigate project at the same exhibition:
