Indonesia Partners with France to Build Advanced Research Vessels

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is set to strengthen its maritime research capacity through a landmark collaboration with France to construct two state-of-the-art National Research Vessels (Krisna).

The initiative, announced during a contract signing ceremony in Jakarta on Thursday, June 11, 2026, marks a major step in supporting ocean exploration across the archipelago.

Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Arif Satria, emphasized the importance of research vessels as mobile scientific laboratories.

“The Krisna project is a flagship initiative to enhance Indonesia’s ocean research capacity through the procurement of two advanced multidisciplinary vessels, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) with contributions from the European Union,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

The two ships will consist of a coastal research vessel and an ocean-going research vessel, enabling Indonesian scientists to conduct intensive studies in both nearshore and deep-sea environments. The collaboration also includes technical assistance to strengthen research capacity.

Arif noted that the large-scale investment is expected to provide critical data and insights for national priority sectors. AFD’s Country Director Yann Martres described the partnership as a significant milestone.

“We are preparing the funding, but more importantly, we aim to build cooperation and enhance BRIN’s capacity for maritime research. Hopefully, we will soon see these vessels at sea, delivering outstanding work for BRIN and Indonesia,” he remarked.

The vessels will be built by Piriou, a renowned French shipyard, underscoring the project’s international scope and technical expertise.

This initiative highlights Indonesia’s growing commitment to maritime research innovation, the role of international collaboration in ocean science, and the strategic importance of research vessels for sustainable development. ***