Indonesian Navy to upgrade new Bung Hatta corvette to strengthen coastal defense and protect national maritime zones.

The Indonesian Navy commissioned the KRI Bung Hatta on April 17, 2025, during a delivery and command inauguration ceremony held in Batam, Riau Islands, at the facilities of PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati. The event was presided over by the Chief of Naval Staff (Kasal), Admiral TNI Dr. Muhammad Ali, and was attended by the Chairwoman of Jalasenastri, Ny. Fera Muhammad Ali. The vessel is the second Bung Karno-class corvette constructed by Indonesia’s domestic defense industry. Its commissioning is part of the TNI AL’s implementation of the Peningkatan Penggunaan Produk Dalam Negeri (P3DN) policy, aimed at increasing the share of domestically manufactured components and systems in national defense procurement.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Bung Hatta measures 80.3 meters in length and has a beam of 12.6 meters, making it slightly larger than its sister ship, the KRI Bung Karno (369), which was commissioned in June 2023. (Picture source: Indonesian Navy)

During the ceremony, Admiral Muhammad Ali stated that the construction of the Bung Hatta is part of the modernization of the naval forces and supports the TNI AL’s operational objectives. He noted that the ship was built by a national private shipyard and emphasized that domestic shipbuilders should continue to innovate, expand capacity, and improve capabilities to reduce reliance on imported products. The Admiral confirmed that the Bung Hatta has been assigned to the 2nd Fleet Command (Koarmada II), based in Surabaya, East Java. According to TNI AL, the vessel will support maritime security, patrol, electronic warfare, and search and rescue (SAR) operations, as well as respond to rising criminal activity at sea. Letkol Laut (P) Ramli Arif, S.T., M.Sc., M.Tr.Opsla, an alumnus of the Indonesian Naval Academy’s 50th class (2004), was appointed as the ship’s first commander.

The Bung Karno-class consists of two corvettes built by PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati in Batam, Riau Islands, for the Indonesian Navy. Following the Bung Tomo-class, these two ships are intended to enhance Indonesia's mid-sized surface combatant capabilities, with configurations adapted for different operational roles. The first ship, the KRI Bung Karno (369), commissioned in June 2023, was designed to serve both as a presidential transport and a combat vessel, featuring VVIP accommodations alongside a standard combat suite. The second vessel, the KRI Bung Hatta (370), commissioned in April 2025, was constructed exclusively for combat operations, with expanded space for weapon systems and no VVIP facilities. Both ships were delivered in a Fitted For But Not With (FFBNW) configuration, allowing for the future integration of missile systems and torpedoes. Each ship features a flight deck capable of operating AS565 Panther helicopters.

The Bung Hatta was ordered on January 25, 2024, with the contract awarded to PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati. On the same day, both the steel-cutting and keel-laying ceremonies were held. The vessel was launched on February 27, 2025, and officially commissioned on April 17, 2025. The name Bung Hatta honors Mohammad Hatta, Indonesia’s first Vice President and co-proclaimer of independence, who was born in Bukittinggi on August 12, 1902, and died in Jakarta on March 14, 1980. His daughter, Prof. Dr. Meutia Hatta, remarked during the ceremony that the ship represents a domestically built platform featuring modern technology and capabilities surpassing those of earlier vessels. She also emphasized her father's long-standing belief that Indonesia must harness its human and natural resources for national development and affirmed the Navy's role in fostering national pride and civic responsibility among the younger generation.

The Bung Hatta measures 80.3 meters in length and has a beam of 12.6 meters, making it slightly larger than its sister ship. It has a top speed of 25 knots and an operational endurance of up to five days at sea, with a complement of 82 personnel. Its propulsion system consists of twin diesel engines supported by three diesel generators, although detailed technical specifications have not been made public. The corvette is equipped with a flight deck capable of accommodating a medium-sized helicopter, specifically the AS565 Panther, thereby extending its reconnaissance, SAR, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The ship also includes two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) and a stern ramp, enabling infiltration and exfiltration missions as well as visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations. These features provide the vessel with operational versatility across a wide range of maritime security scenarios.

The second vessel of the Bung Karno-class, the KRI Bung Hatta (370), launched on February 27, 2025, was constructed exclusively for combat operations. (Picture source: Indonesian Navy)

Currently, the vessel’s primary armament consists of a single Bofors 57mm L/70 Mk1 naval gun mounted at the bow. The Indonesian Navy has indicated that this weapon may be replaced in the future with the more powerful Leonardo OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun, suggesting an intent to upgrade the ship’s firepower in line with evolving mission requirements. In addition, two 20mm Yugoimport M71/08 autocannons are installed on either side of the aft superstructure for close-range defense. Although these weapons are already in place, the full combat suite envisioned for the Bung Hatta has yet to be implemented. Built under the FFBNW concept, the ship includes provisions for surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs), and torpedo launchers, enabling engagement against aerial, surface, and sub-surface threats. There are visible provisions in the midship section for missile launcher installation, although the Navy has not announced a timeline for their integration.

The Bung Hatta is also outfitted with electronic warfare systems, including radar electronic countermeasures (R-ECM) and radar electronic support measures (R-ESM). These systems improve the vessel’s survivability by enabling it to detect, analyze, and disrupt hostile radar signals. The integration of such capabilities reflects a broader trend within the Indonesian Navy toward equipping its surface fleet with modern electronic warfare tools, enhancing resilience in both peacetime patrol missions and high-intensity combat environments. While the ship’s radar, communication, and combat management systems have not been publicly detailed, the inclusion of R-ECM and R-ESM points to a basic level of electronic situational awareness and defensive capability.

The vessel’s aviation and boarding capabilities further reinforce its role as a multi-purpose surface combatant. The flight deck is designed to support operations of the AS565 Panther, which can conduct maritime surveillance, over-the-horizon targeting, and light anti-submarine missions. The RHIBs and stern ramp improve the ship’s effectiveness in littoral environments and during maritime interdiction operations. These features also enable the KRI Bung Hatta to operate independently or within a task group, conducting missions ranging from exclusive economic zone (EEZ) patrols to combat support and humanitarian assistance.