La Spezia, Italy – The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has marked a significant milestone with the commencement of sea trials for its first Multipurpose Combat Ship (MPCS), KRI Brawijaya (320), at Fincantieri's Muggiano shipyard. This vessel, originally built for the Italian Navy as part of the PPA (Pattugliatore Polivalente d'Altura) program, is now undergoing rigorous testing before its scheduled delivery later this year.

KRI Brawijaya (320), along with its sister ship KRI Prabu Siliwangi (321), represents a key component of a €1.18 billion contract signed between Indonesia and Fincantieri in March 2024. These ships, previously named Marcantonio Colonna and Ruggiero di Lauria, were officially renamed in a ceremony held at the Muggiano shipyard on January 29, 2025.

Photographs captured by Italian naval photographer Giorgio Arra this week document KRI Brawijaya (320) during its initial sea trials. The second vessel, KRI Prabu Siliwangi (321), has also been observed undergoing preparations at the shipyard.

The KRI Brawijaya (320) is equipped with a comprehensive armament package, including a Leonardo 127/64 mm LW main gun capable of firing Vulcano long-range guided munitions, a 76 mm Single Deck gun with anti-ship and DART guided ammunition capabilities, and two remotely operated 25 mm gun systems. The vessel also features the SAAM ESD PPA air defense missile system, utilizing the MBDA Aster family of missiles (16 missiles in two 8-cell VLS), and the Leonardo Kronos Quad C-band AESA radar. Its electronic warfare suite, provided by ELT Group (Elettronica), includes advanced RESM/CESM and RECM systems.

This acquisition follows the Italian Navy's successful qualification of the SAAM ESD PPA air defense system on their Bande Nere (P 434) MPCS/PPA in the Full Configuration, which features the Leonardo Dual Band Radar (DBR) system and advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. Notably, the Italian Navy's Montecuccoli (P 432), a Light Plus configuration vessel similar to those sold to Indonesia, was deployed to the Indo-Pacific last summer and participated in the Pacific Dragon integrated air and missile defense exercise.

The delivery of these advanced MPCS/PPA vessels will significantly enhance the Indonesian Navy's maritime capabilities, providing them with state-of-the-art technology and firepower. These ships are expected to play a crucial role in safeguarding Indonesia's vast maritime territories and contributing to regional security.