The Thaon di Revel-class vessels in the Light Plus configuration represent a huge multirole capability enforcement for the Indonesian Navy as these platforms are equipped with the latest generation Italian Navy’s combat management system (CMS) by Leonardo, the MBDA Italia SAAM ESD PPA air defence missile system based on the
MBDA Aster family of missiles (2 Naval Group A50 8-cell VLS for a total of 16 missiles) and the Leonardo Quad C-band four fixed faces AESA radar, alongside an extensive and capable EW suite by Elettronica, and a gun armament including the Leonardo 127/64 mm LW capable of firing Vulcano guided ammunitions and the 76 mm Single Deck gun with anti-missiles and asymmetric threats DART guided ammunitions.
This combat system makes the “PPA frigates” among or the most capable air defence platform in the South-East Asian region in addition to the multirole capabilities provided by the flight deck and hangar for large helicopters and unmanned air vehicles as well as the stern modular mission bay and amidships area for a range of payload and missions including disaster relief and humanitarian aid.
No details has been however delivered on the final ship configuration,
but it is publicly known, the Indonesian Navy wants anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare in addition to air defence capabilities. The Thaon di Revel-class Light and Light Plus configurations have been designed since the beginning with “fitted for” capabilities and Fincantieri can offer the whole PPA Full combat suite, being able to add a towed sonar array suite and anti-ship missiles launchers in addition to the Leonardo’s X-band StarFire four fixed faces AESA radar, without ship modifications.
Based on the customer requirements, funding and delivery timeline, the Indonesian Navy could add these capabilities before or after the delivery. As the South-Asian Navy is already equipped with the MBDA MM40 Block 3 Exocet anti-ship missiles on the latest combatant ships, this weapon system could be among the preferred ones, while for the anti-submarine warfare suite, the Italian Navy’s PPA Full ships are equipped with Leonardo ASW and anti-torpedo towed array solutions.
Here are the latest details on the 1.18 billion Euro contract signed between Indonesia and Fincantieri for two “PPA frigates”...
www.navalnews.com