Indonesia and Türkiye Cement Naval Alliance with I-Class Frigate Deal
Indonesia has taken a bold step in its naval modernisation drive by signing a major deal with Türkiye’s TAIS Shipyards for two state-of-the-art I-class frigates. The agreement, finalised at the IDEF 2025 defence expo in Istanbul, marks Türkiye’s first export of MILGEM-class vessels and deepens maritime defence ties between the two strategic partners.
By Jarryd Sinovich
This historic pact — attended by top officials including Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Türkiye’s Defence Industries President Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün — may fast-track delivery, with speculation that existing Turkish Navy hulls could be reassigned to Indonesia. This would mirror Italy’s earlier approach with PPA-class ships.
Advanced Capabilities, Rapid Deployment
The I-class frigates, based on Türkiye’s MILGEM platform, boast advanced multi-role systems including:
- ATMACA anti-ship missiles
- MİDLAS vertical launch system
- Gökdeniz CIWS
- Cenk-S AESA radar
- HAVELSAN’s ADVENT combat system
Each 113-meter vessel is designed for anti-submarine, surface warfare, and limited area air defence missions — offering a powerful force multiplier for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).
Rising Complexity in TNI AL’s Arsenal
The deal adds to Indonesia’s increasingly diverse naval fleet, which includes frigates from the Netherlands, UK, Italy, and now Türkiye. While this enhances operational versatility, it raises challenges in logistics, maintenance, and interoperability — making training and systems integration top priorities.
Strategic Depth in the Indo-Pacific
As Indonesia and Türkiye expand their defence industries and global partnerships, this collaboration sends a clear message: both nations are serious about shaping the balance of naval power in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
