The Ministry of Defense is reportedly planning to acquire seven Type 053 frigates from China, a move that has drawn public attention as the warships have been in service since the 1970s, with the latest variants produced in the 1980s.

The planned acquisition emerged after Defense ministry spokesman Brigadier General Frega Wenas appeared on a televised discussion about the performance of the first year of the Prabowo–Gibran administration, focusing on the country’s defense sector. Video clips and screenshots from the program have since circulated widely across social media platforms.

Indonesian Navy spokesman, Rear Admiral Tunggul, did not deny reports of the planned acquisition of the seven frigates built by Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group, suggesting that the Navy would proceed according to the Defense Ministry’s final decision.

“In principle, the Indonesian Navy will carry out whatever decisions are made by the government, in this case the Ministry of Defense,” Tunggul told Republika on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

He emphasized that the acquisition aims to strengthen the Navy’s fleet and defense capabilities in safeguarding Indonesia’s maritime territory.

“Of course, the decision has gone through careful consideration to enhance the Navy’s defense capability in protecting the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia’s waters,” he added.

Fleet modernization

Aside from the potential purchase of Chinese Type 053 frigates, the Indonesian Navy is also set to be reinforced with two Italian PPA-class frigates, the KRI Brawijaya-320 and KRI Prabu Siliwangi.

The KRI Brawijaya has already arrived in Indonesia and led the sailing pass during the Presidential Inspection event attended by President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta Bay on October 2, 2025. The KRI Prabu Siliwangi is expected to arrive in 2026.

Additionally, the Navy will receive two Istif-class frigates from Turkiye, for which contracts have been signed by the Defense Ministry, as well as two Fregat Merah Putih (Red and White Frigates) currently under construction by State ship builder PT PAL Indonesia in Surabaya, East Java.