Fincantieri and Indonesia’s Republikorp have agreed to establish a joint venture to develop, build, market and maintain naval vessels for the Indonesian Ministry of Defence. The agreement, announced at Euronaval in Paris, will be implemented through Republikorp subsidiary PT Republik Palindo Internasional. The planned venture will target multirole surface ships, submarines and next-generation corvettes, while supporting local shipyard upgrades, technical assistance, personnel training and supplier development. Fincantieri will provide naval engineering, construction, systems integration and life-cycle support expertise, with RPAL contributing domestic industrial resources and knowledge of Indonesia’s defence market. The partnership is intended to strengthen Indonesia’s ability to design, manufacture and maintain naval platforms locally and could eventually pursue projects elsewhere in Southeast Asia. The latest deal builds on a September cooperation framework between Fincantieri and PT PAL Indonesia to modernise the Indonesian Navy’s first aircraft carrier, KRI Sriwijaya. The vessel, previously known as ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi in Italian Navy service, arrived in Indonesia in September after sailing from Europe escorted by two Indonesian Navy Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessels. Italy transferred the 41-year-old carrier under a government grant agreed earlier this year. Its acquisition has prompted discussion in Indonesia about the costs of refurbishment and operation and whether the ship will provide sufficient strategic value.
