The Indonesian Navy's (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) pair of Martadinata (SIGMA 10514)-class guided-missile frigates will each receive a set of 12-cell launchers for the VL MICA air defence system in 2019, an industry source has confirmed with Jane's at the Indo Defence 2018 exhibition in Jakarta.
A contract to deliver the launchers has been concluded, and installation of the weapon systems will be undertaken at state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL's premises in Surabaya, in collaboration with Damen and MBDA, the source added.
The SIGMA 10514 frigates, KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata (331), and KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332), were commissioned in April 2017 and January 2018 respectively. Both ships were delivered to the TNI-AL in the 'fitted for but not with' (FFBNW) configuration for its major weapon systems including point-defence missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, and a close-in weapon system (CIWS).
However, both frigates have each been armed with one Leonardo (Oto Melara) 76/62 Super Rapid gun in the primary position.
The VL MICA is a vertically launched point, and close area air-defence system that provides protection against a wide range of airborne threats including hostile aircraft, and precision-guided munitions. The system does not require dedicated sensors nor consoles, and can be fully integrated into the SIGMA 10514's existing combat infrastructure.
While a contract for the launchers has been concluded, Indonesia has yet to confirm acquisitions of the missiles, although the industry source Jane's spoke to at Indo Defence 2018 posits that a deal for the missiles will follow through eventually. "A contract for the missiles will follow logically, and we hope it will happen soon," he added.
(Jane's)