PT PAL has launched the first out of the two SIGMA 10514 Perusak Kawal Rudal (PKR) guided missile frigates designated for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).
PT.PAL built these ships in joint collaboration with Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding. The ceremony was attended by the Guests of Honour namely the Indonesian Minister of Defense, Ryamizard Rycudu along with other officials from numerous ministries such as Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister Luhut Panjaitan and Chief of the Navy Admiral Ade Supandi.
The SIGMA 10514 PKR frigate was a project initiated in August 2010 by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence. The Ministry awarded a contract to
Damen for the construction of the first SIGMA 10514 PKR in December 2012. The first steel was cut by the former Minister of Defence, Mr. Purnomo Yusgiantoro in January 2014 and the keel was laid in April 2014 at PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya.
These PKRs are designed and built to endure various missions. Primarily, the vessel will be operated for Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, and Anti-Submarine Warfare. However, it is also compatible for Maritime Security, Search and Rescue, Patrolling, and Humanitarian Support tasks.
TNI-Al will be strongly empowered with this state of the art maritime capacity. The SIGMA 10514 PKR has a proven design and is uniquely built using a modular approach. SIGMA stands for Ship Integrated Geometrical Modularity Approach.
In essence, the PKRs are divided into 6 modules of which 4 were built in PT PAL’s shipyards while the other two modules were built and fully tested at Damen Naval Shipyard in Vlissingen in the Netherlands. The modular building allows greater flexibility, is more cost effective and allows for building in various locations worldwide. Essentially, it provides a large portion of technological transfer.
When the 6 modules were complete, PT PAL had the responsibility of integrating them into one sole vessel.
Technically, the PKR has a length of 105.11 m long, 14.2m wide and a displacement of 2.365 tons. The ship is featured with a fully air-conditioned accommodation that can board 122persons.
The helicopter deck is suitable to receive with a medium sized helicopter hanger with a weight of max 10 tons.
The ship is also equipped with two rigid hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) for rescue and patrol operations.
The frigate has a speed of 28 knots, and can sail up to 5000nm at 14 knots. The endurance of the frigate is at least 20 days at sea. The propulsion system of the PKR vessel utilizes a combined diesel or electric (CODOE) which consists of two 10000kW maximum continuous rating (MCR) diesel engines, two 1300kW electric motors and two double input gearboxes, and two 3.65 m controllable pitch propellers.
The vessel is equipped with a sophisticated platform management system that enables operating, control and monitoring of the ships auxiliary systems.
The vessel will naturally be equipped with state of the arts weaponry. The frigate is to be outfitted with 1 close-in weapon system, 1 medium caliber gun 76 mm
The sensory aspect of the SIGMA is equipped with 2×4 Surface to Surface Missiles launchers, 12 cells of Surface to Air Missiles launchers, 2 triple Torpedo launching system.
Moreover, its countermeasure includes 2 decoy launchers, Electronic Support Measure(ESM) and Electronic Counter Measure (ECM).
3-D surveillance radar with a range of 250 km, further more there is a Target Indication radar which also has an electro optical fire control system. The sensor array also comprises a Friend or Foe Identification (IFF) system and a hull-mounted sonar.
Naturally, this strategic project between PT PAL and DSNS also led to a flow of knowledge transfer from Damen to its Indonesian counterpart. In fact, more than 300 people from PT PAL benefited from an extensive experience and knowledge sharing on shipbuilding. PT PAL shipyards also ameliorated its infrastructure as part of the project.
Reprinted from issue 019 of DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 published by http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/en/ on 2016-01-19 with photographs also.
