KBRN, Rome: The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has strengthened its fleet with two new advanced warships built in Italy. These ships are expected to enhance the Indonesian Navy's ability to secure Indonesian waters.

These two warships are part of a strategic cooperation between the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and Fincantieri, one of the world's leading shipbuilding companies that provides defense equipment with the latest technology and modern weapon systems.

The two ships are Offshore Patrol Vessels/Pattugliatore Polivalente d'Altura (PPA) type. These ships are 143 meters long, 16.5 meters wide, and have a draft of 5.2 meters.

They have a maximum speed of 32 knots and are propelled by combined diesel, electric, and gas turbines. The ships also have various weapons, including SAM: 16 VL System, SSM: 8 Teseo Mk-2E, 127 mm cannon, 76 mm cannon, and torpedoes.

The symbolic ship naming ceremony, led by the Naval Chief of Staff Adm. Muhammad Ali, representing the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, took place at the Fincantieri Muggiano shipyard in Italy on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

The two warships were officially named KRI Brawijaya-320 and KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321.

The names KRI Brawijaya and KRI Prabu Siliwangi were inspired by the kings of the archipelago.

These names were chosen with the hope that these ships would later become new legends that significantly contribute to the nation's glory.

"Giving the ships names is not just a formality, but a strategic step in building the ship's identity. The chosen names are symbols of hope, prayer, and determination to uphold the nation's sovereignty and honor," said Adm. Muhammad Ali, as reported by rri.co.id.

Indonesian Admiral Muhammad Ali hopes that the presence of KRI Brawijaya and KRI Prabu Siliwangi will strengthen Indonesia's Navy's combat power.

"These ships are equipped with the latest technology, and I am confident that they can complete any assigned mission," he added.

With these modern and highly competitive warships, Indonesia hopes to more effectively face various challenges in national and regional waters. ***