New Turkish fast attack missile ships for Indonesia pass critical construction milestone with keel laying.

On July 18, 2025, Turkish shipbuilder Sefine Shipyard, a key member of the TAIS Shipyards consortium, achieved a significant milestone in its export shipbuilding program with the successful keel laying of the first of two Fast Attack Craft-Missile (FAC-M) vessels for the Indonesian Navy. The ceremony took place at Sefine’s shipyard in Altınova, Yalova, and marked the transition from early hull fabrication to full structural assembly of the 70-meter KCR-70M-class vessels. This event is a key moment in Türkiye’s growing role as a strategic naval supplier and reflects the deepening defense cooperation with Indonesia.
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Keel laying ceremony at Sefine Shipyard in Türkiye marks a major construction milestone for the first of two KCR-70M fast attack missile craft being built for the Indonesian Navy. (Picture source: TAIS)

The Keel laying is a foundational stage in naval shipbuilding that traditionally marks the formal start of a ship's construction. It involves the placement of the ship's keel, which serves as the structural backbone running along the bottom of the hull, onto the building blocks or slipway. This base framework supports the assembly of all subsequent hull structures. While modern shipbuilding often uses modular methods, the keel laying ceremony continues to symbolize the official beginning of a vessel’s physical construction and is traditionally associated with good fortune and the success of the ship’s future service.

The contract for the two vessels was signed before the ceremonial steel cutting held in late October 2024. While the exact date of the agreement remains undisclosed, construction progress and formal milestones confirm that the procurement is being executed under a binding bilateral framework. The program is being developed with full involvement from the TAIS consortium under a technology transfer arrangement, enabling Indonesia to gain access to modern naval design and construction expertise from Türkiye’s leading shipyards.

The KCR-70M-class Fast Attack Craft for Indonesia are designed as high-speed, missile-capable surface combatants featuring a hull length of 70 meters, a beam of 11.8 meters, a draught of 2.85 meters, and a full-load displacement of approximately 850 tonnes. Propulsion is based on a Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) system consisting of two diesel engines and one gas turbine, powering three waterjets to deliver speeds exceeding 40 knots. At a cruising speed of 20 knots, the vessels will achieve a range of 1,600 nautical miles, ensuring extended patrol endurance across Indonesia’s maritime domain. The design prioritizes rapid acceleration, high maneuverability, and operational readiness for littoral and offshore missions.

The armament suite will include a 76mm naval gun on the foredeck for main battery firepower, a set of surface-to-surface missiles for precision strike capability, and two 12.7mm machine guns for close-in defense. Defensive systems will feature a decoy countermeasures launcher to enhance survivability against incoming guided threats. These weapons and countermeasures will ensure the FAC-M’s ability to deliver offensive firepower while maintaining self-defense in high-threat environments.

The sensor and combat systems architecture will be optimized for situational awareness and targeting. Onboard electronics will include air and surface search radars, navigation radars, a dedicated fire control radar, a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), echo sounder, and an Automatic Identification System (AIS). These systems will enable the vessel to conduct multiple mission profiles including anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and maritime search and rescue operations.

Senior Indonesian defense officials, including the country’s ambassador to Türkiye, attended the keel laying ceremony and confirmed that the first FAC-M is expected to be delivered to the Indonesian Navy by mid-2026. Final outfitting, integration of combat systems, and sea trials will follow the hull completion. The second vessel is planned to follow on a parallel construction schedule. Once operational, these ships will represent a major enhancement to the Indonesian Navy’s littoral strike and patrol capabilities.

The FAC-M program reflects Türkiye’s emergence as a global supplier of modern warships and highlights Sefine Shipyard’s expanding role in international naval production. For Indonesia, the acquisition supports its national goal of fleet modernization and maritime defense posture across a region defined by complex security challenges and vast territorial waters. Initial operational capability for the class is projected for 2028, at which point the vessels will serve as frontline assets in Indonesia’s surface fleet for years to come.