IndoDefense 2025: Indonesia promotes new Multi Role Support Ship to Asian navies for future amphibious deployments.

During the IndoDefense 2025 exhibition held in Kemayoran, Jakarta, PT PAL Indonesia (Persero), part of the DEFEND ID holding, announced its intention to export its Multi Role Support Ship to Southeast Asian countries. The vessel, which measures 163 meters in length, is the largest ship constructed to date by PT PAL and is being positioned for regional market penetration. Aris Wacana Putra, General Manager of Sales and Marketing, stated that this product is the company’s current focus for foreign sales, with marketing activities already underway across the regional market. Aris confirmed that PT PAL has already initiated discussions with several countries, including Malaysia, and that the company has recently taken part in a defense exhibition in Malaysia to support this objective.
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The Multi Role Support Ship is described as the most developed variant within PT PAL’s landing platform dock (LPD) class, intended for launching, transporting, and landing troops and equipment from the sea to land. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Multi Role Support Ship is described as the most developed variant within PT PAL’s landing platform dock (LPD) class, intended for launching, transporting, and landing troops and equipment from the sea to land. According to Aris, this is the largest LPD variant developed by PT PAL and is considered a key product in its regional sales strategy. In addition to exploring export opportunities, PT PAL plans to conduct a transfer of shipbuilding technology to Malaysia through collaboration with Lumut Naval Shipyard Sdn. Bhd. Although no definitive agreements have been disclosed, Aris indicated that several countries have expressed interest in acquiring the ship. Discussions are still limited in scope, but engagement with foreign counterparts is ongoing.

The ship is being built in Surabaya. No standard unit price has been communicated by PT PAL, as Aris explained that the final cost is highly dependent on the buyer’s specific design requirements. He clarified that no fixed standard pricing exists due to the customizable nature of the product. Aris mentioned that PT PAL has previously exported Strategic Sealift Vessels to the Philippines through an international tender process. This prior experience is cited as an indication that PT PAL is capable of producing and exporting warships that meet international requirements. However, Aris did not provide further detail on the pricing or delivery timelines of the Multi Role Support Ship for prospective customers.

The Multi Role Support Ship is designed for multi-domain operations and extended missions. It measures 163.50 meters in length, with a beam of 24.00 meters and a draft of 6.00 meters. The vessel’s displacement is approximately 14,000 tons. Its propulsion system includes four main engines producing 2,280 kW each, two 1,200 kW main generators, and a 700 kW emergency generator. The ship’s top speed is 18 knots, with a cruising speed of 14 knots. Its operational endurance is 30 days, with a maximum range of 9,000 nautical miles. These specifications enable the vessel to support long-distance deployments and to operate in various maritime zones, including coastal and open ocean environments. It is equipped with the necessary navigation, power distribution, and environmental control systems to function continuously during extended missions.

The ship’s logistics and amphibious transport capabilities include the ability to carry and deploy up to four Landing Craft Utility (LCU) from a well dock. The internal deck can accommodate up to 16 tanks or 29 wheeled armored vehicles. Additional features include a cargo crane, compartments protected against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats, a medical facility, and an onboard firefighting system. Storage facilities are available for both solid and liquid fuels. These capabilities allow the ship to transport personnel, vehicles, and supplies to shorelines or areas affected by natural disasters. The ship is capable of supporting amphibious landings as well as logistical operations in environments where port infrastructure may be damaged or absent.

The aviation component of the ship includes a helicopter deck able to support three helicopters simultaneously and an internal hangar that can store three additional helicopters, giving the vessel a total airframe capacity of six. Compatible helicopters include the AS565, AW101, and AW139. These helicopters can conduct missions such as aerial reconnaissance, cargo transport, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, and amphibious troop insertion. The hangar and flight deck are supported by aviation fuel tanks, maintenance workspaces, and aircraft handling equipment. These features are intended to support sustained rotary-wing operations and allow the ship to serve as a mobile aviation platform during deployments.

The ship’s armament and sensor suite include a configurable primary weapon system, either a 76mm or 57mm naval gun. Secondary weapons consist of two 30mm guns and two Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS). For additional close-range protection, six 12.7mm heavy machine guns are installed. Sensors include a surface search radar with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capability, a navigation radar, a tracking radar, electronic support measures, and an electro-optical fire control system. The ship also includes a hull-mounted sonar for underwater situational awareness. It is equipped with decoy launchers and an integrated Combat Management System (CMS), which operates through the Joint Tactical Command Center (JTCC). This system enables centralized control of all sensor and weapon systems during operations.

The Multi Role Support Ship is configured for a wide range of missions. For military purposes, it is capable of amphibious assault, logistical support, maritime surveillance, interdiction, and patrol operations. It can also host national or multinational command elements and serve in joint maritime security operations. In addition to combat tasks, it is intended for use in humanitarian assistance, evacuation operations, disaster response, and bulk supply transport. The vessel includes accommodation areas that can be reconfigured to house troops, medical personnel, or civilian evacuees depending on the mission. The ship’s internal architecture allows for flexible use, with spaces designed for adaptation based on the specific requirements of the assigned operation. The Multi Role Support Ship, as promoted at IndoDefense 2025, is being positioned by PT PAL as a multipurpose naval asset tailored for regional requirements and potential defense-industrial cooperation with neighboring states.