UK’s Babcock sell Arrowhead 140 (AH140) frigate design to PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) – 2 vessels licensed in the deal

Indonesia has acquired the rights and license to build 2 x Arrowhead 140 frigates with bespoke design modification for its Navy.

The agreement was signed at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2021 event in London, on board HMS Argyll, by David Lockwood CEO Babcock and Kaharuddin Djenod, CEO PAL. And was witnessed by the Defence Minister of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto and UK Defence Secretary, Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP.  

Babcock sells first new frigate design licence to Indonesia – Babcock International

Babcock the aerospace, defence and security company has secured the first export contract for its Arrowhead 140 (AH140) frigate through a design licence agreement with PT PAL Indonesia (Persero), a state-owned enterprise that builds and maintains ships for military and commercial use from its facilities in Surabaya, Indonesia.

This came at the back of UK’s snatching of the Australian submarine deal from France, with the help of United States, which resulted in a diplomatic fall out between France and Australia-United States (but seemingly did not affect relationship between UK and France surprisingly) (read more: AUKUS trilateral security partnership is now a thing).

The Babcock’s AH140 design was selected by the UK for it’s Type 31 frigate programme just 2 years ago in 2019. The Arrowhead 140 is also now one of the selected bidder for Poland Navy’s Miecznik (Swordfish) frigate programme.

All in all, this means that Indonesia is getting one of the most cutting edge frigate in the market today, allowing Indonesia to continue its modernisation efforts in view of the “Asia Pacific arm race” as exclaimed by China as something that is currently happening (read more: [ Sky News ] China says AUKUS submarine deal ‘highly irresponsible’ and ‘intensifies the arms race’)

“I was delighted to attend the contract signing between Babcock and Indonesia on board HMS Argyll today, representing the best of British maritime design and engineering to our international partners…. Signalling the strength of our defence relationship with Indonesia, both of our Naval Forces will operate this world-leading frigate in the future and will work closely together to protect our mutual interests around the world.” 

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace

The 2 Arrowhead 140 frigates will be built in Indonesia, by local workforce, which will directly contribute to the social and economic value of Indonesia’s sovereign shipbuilding community and the country as a whole.