At the opening day of IndoDefence 2022, Thales reinforced its commitment to the Republic of Indonesia’s defence forces, signing multiple agreements with its long-term partner, local State Owned Enterprise (SOE), PT Len Industri, witnessed by Minister of Defence, Prabowo Subianto. Working with DEFEND ID, Indonesia’s defence industry holding company led by PT Len, these agreements confirm Thales’ position to support Indonesia’s military ambitions. In April 2022, President Widodo outlined Indonesia’s objective to have DEFEND ID join the list of the world’s top fifty defence companies by 2024 and to increase the use of locally-manufactured components within the industry. Thales’ capabilities and solutions in naval and air defence will strongly contribute to these plans.
Thales signed a contract with PT Len to undertake the refurbishment of the integrated mission systems for four Diponegoro-class ships. The contract was signed by Mr. Bobby RASYIDIN, President Director for PT Len Industri and Mr. Erik-Jan RAATGERINK, Sales Director, Thales Netherlands. Delivered in the early 2000s, these ships will soon be refurbished with an Integrated Missions System including the TACTICOS Combat Management System, as well as the latest in software-driven radar technology able to combat the highest level of threats. The modernisation programme will extend over the next five years with post-sales support provided by trained teams at Thales’ Naval Service Centre in Surabaya. This latest upgrade follows a similar programme undertaken for the KRI Usman-Harun Multi-Role Light Frigate (MRLF) in 2020.
“Thales is proud to have made strong progress together with PT Len over the last few months since the inception of DEFEND ID. The contract to refurbish the Diponegoro-class ships underscores the trust that the Indonesian Navy has in Thales’ proven mission-critical solutions. From a humble partnership dating back 40 years, we are delighted to now take it a step further with PT Len through this upcoming joint venture. By working closely with local SOEs under DEFEND ID, we are in an even stronger position to innovate and co-develop local solutions, transfer technology, and build local indigenous capabilities within Indonesia and to take the country a step further in its defence ambitions,” Olivier RABOURDIN, President Director, PT Thales Indonesia said.
The Diponegoro class of guided-missile corvettes of the Indonesian Navy are SIGMA 9113 types of the Netherlands-designed Sigma family of modular naval vessels, named after Indonesian Prince Diponegoro. Currently there are four Diponegoro-class corvette in service. The Indonesian variant is based on the Sigma 9113 design. Work on the first of the class, KRI Diponegoro, began with the first steel cutting conducted in October 2004. The ship was christened on 16 September 2006 and commissioned on 2 July 2007 by Admiral Slamet Soebijanto, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff. Options for two other units were exercised in January 2006 with the first steel cut commenced on 3 April 2006 in Damen’s Schelde Naval Shipbuilding yard, Vlissingen-Oost yard and not in Surabaya stated earlier.
