The defense minister said that after the refurbishment project was completed, he hoped Indonesia could build a destroyer-class ship.
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto says the refurbishment of 41 of the Navy’s warships is 40 percent complete.
"I have just talked to the directors of the national private shipyards that are undertaking the refurbishment process via video conference. The process is now 40 percent complete," Prabowo said on Jan. 23 during an inspection at state-owned shipyard PT PAL Indonesia facilities in Surabaya, East Java, as cited by Antara.
PAL has been appointed as the lead integrator for the refurbishment project, whose main task is overseeing private shipyards involved in the refurbishment effort.
The project started in 2022 and is expected to be complete by October. The process of refurbishment includes replating and repowering the ships and rejuvenating various facilities and accommodation inside the warships, as well as the modernization of weapon and radar systems.
Initially, the budget for the refurbishments was set at US$1.1 billion before being cut to $900 million after cost-efficiency measures.
Prabowo is optimistic that once the refurbishment process is complete, it will enhance the Navy's combat capability, allowing maximum sea protection for Indonesia for at least the next decade.
"I'm proud of the technological advancement PAL and other national private shipyards have achieved," Prabowo said, adding that he would ensure that the building of Indonesia's warfare capacity continued.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.