Highlights from recent sea trials and the official inauguration of Indonesia’s new 105 m hydrographic research vessel (Bantu Hidro-Oseanografi, BHO), hull number 6515, underscore a significant enhancement in the Indonesian Navy’s (TNI AL’s) oceanographic and survey capabilities. The vessel has been developed under a contract signed in December 2022 between Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence and German shipbuilder Abeking & Rasmussen, which is acting as prime contractor in partnership with Fassmer. Construction has been executed with Indonesian industry participation through PT Palindo Marine at its Batam facility, forming part of a technology transfer (ToT) framework aimed at strengthening local shipbuilding capacity and increasing domestic content.
First steel for the programme was cut on 15 September 2023, followed by the keel-laying ceremony on 14 December 2023. Upon completion of the hull in Indonesia, the vessel was transferred to Germany via the Weser River for final outfitting and systems integration. Launched on 24 September 2024, the BHO-105 m vessel is designed to support a wide range of hydrographic and oceanographic missions. It will operate under the Indonesian Navy’s hydrography organisation and is intended to deliver enhanced maritime domain awareness in both national and international waters. The programme reflects Indonesia’s broader effort to modernise its naval support fleet while leveraging international partnerships to develop indigenous industrial expertise.
The platform has an overall length of 105 m, a maximum speed of approximately 16 kt, and accommodation for up to 90 personnel. Its mission suite includes a comprehensive array of survey and research systems, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for mine detection, conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) rosettes, LiDAR-enabled unmanned systems, magnetometers, multibeam echosounders, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), side-scan sonar, and towed seismic streamers. In addition to its primary hydro-oceanographic role, the vessel is also configured to support submarine rescue-related tasks and contribute to search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, providing the TNI AL with a multi-mission capability platform.
