The United Kingdom and Indonesia have announced a major Maritime Partnership Programme (MPP) worth £4 billion ($5.2 billion), paving the way for Indonesia to construct naval and fishing vessels using British technology and shipbuilding expertise. The initiative was unveiled following a call between the British Prime Minister and the Indonesian President and positions Babcock as the lead industrial partner. The MPP forms a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership established by the two nations in November 2024.
The partnership will advance Indonesia’s maritime manufacturing capabilities through the transfer of automation, AI-driven shipbuilding processes, and other modern technologies. Babcock will additionally work to strengthen academic and vocational cooperation between UK and Indonesian institutions to build long-term skills in digital vessel design, precision engineering, and integrated naval systems—critical fields for future shipbuilding programs.
Construction of the vessels will take place in Indonesian shipyards, expanding the local maritime industry while supporting several roles at Babcock’s Rosyth, Bristol, and Devonport sites. The program is expected to deepen defense-industrial ties, improve fleet sustainability for Indonesia, and create new economic opportunities in both countries.
UK leadership described Indonesia as one of Britain’s closest partners in the G20, emphasizing that the MPP enhances collective security and maritime resilience. The initiative is also aligned with the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, a program aimed at supporting marine conservation and reducing poverty. This dovetails with Indonesia’s national goals to strengthen food security and protect its vast marine biodiversity as the world’s largest archipelagic state.
