Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
We can see on this post on Twitter from DCNS, that the defence minister is receiving a model what looks like an FTI..... well, let's wait and see if we get also extreme diversification in our navy.




This is not big talk, but true lies.View attachment 53674View attachment 53675
Another photos circulating online (seems originate from Keris FB followers) on the progress of FMP#1. Looking on the progress seems the target to launch it before November can be achievable. The second photo shown UAE LPD already being assembly, and PAL need FMP to flood out from dock soon to give room for both UAE LPD and Pinoy LPD#3.
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Finally the ex Nahkoda Ragam corvette KRI Usman Harun entering Irian dock. The other grave dock in PAL that usually use for MRO. This MRO supposedly asside upgrading sensors and weapon systems, also change the VLS from Sea Wolf to VL MICA.
So the R-41 refurbishment program is not finish yet, however PAL CEO already claim it is finish.
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Well that's shown how State Enterprises still talk big in media only.
didn't realise anyone still operated Leander class frigate (derivatives) in 2025.
I believe Ecuador still has 2x ex-Chilean Leander derivates in commission, of course this doesn't mean that they are actually operational though.I didn't realise anyone still operated Leander class frigate (derivatives) in 2025.
They are even older then the ex-Hamilton class cutters that the USCG transferred over to various SEA navies and Coast Guards.



All this because some "thinkers/planners" in 2014-2019 administration term decided that SIGMA 10514 are not good enough, cut the order and manufacturing schedulles, and then undecided which choices going to replace. Until present administration has to take more expensive move replacing all those Van Speijks that already operating beyond their latest MLU extended age.
There are also rumours that talk the Chinese Frigates basically being procured without Guns, Missiles and Weapon systems, as those will be refurbished using Aselsan systems, Roketsan Missiles and Leonardo guns. Similar with what domestic build corvettes going to take.
Why go through all the trouble for technology that is no better, even if it is "interim" whatever that means now.
Hulls are the least expensive part of the ship. If the entire suite of combat systems, sensors, and missiles are going to be brand new, sticking it into 20+ year old hulls is not value for money. Just buy them new from Turkiye with the ship or build the ships locally.
Got the money to buy PPA/LPH and then choose to buy junk and put new hardware on junk.
But that's is the whole point. It is history repeating itself.
Any long term planning for "future" frigates is always subject to changing political winds. So the short term solution is go "interim". But these interim ends up staying longer than "interim" and because they are there, the decision makers will think since you can survive with "interim", then why the urgency to replace?
Second, sweetner is because you want to lure the customer to buy something more expensive and better (e.g a Type 052 or a J-10CE). Example is the used M2K Mirages were tied to Rafale purchase and some basic alignment in logistic.
Type 039 is objectively, worse than the Scorpene, and probably no better than the Type 209 and same story as the frigates. Other than cheap acquisition cost (and but with potentially higher operational expense), RI gains nothing militarily. If it is some politically signalling to the Chinese, it is pretty naive to think buying some old ships/planes will be counted as anything special by the Chinese. Instead, the signalling I am seeing is people thinking there is corruption at play or just plain incompetence at political level.


ex Chinese also sends some interesting signals to Australia and the US.


Still somehow I still see in the end back to budget realities. Especially if rumours is true that those Type 053H3 are part of Type 039 submarine sweeteners.