The UK and Indonesia have signed off on a new Maritime Partnership Programme (MPP) that will enable Indonesia to construct naval and fishing vessels using British shipbuilding technology and expertise.
Announced by the British Prime Minister during discussions with Indonesia’s President, the £4-billion ($5.2-billion) initiative will be led by Babcock as the primary industrial partner and forms part of the broader Strategic Partnership agreed in November 2024.
The program includes technology transfer and joint development of advanced shipbuilding techniques, such as automation and artificial intelligence. Babcock will also deepen cooperation between UK and Indonesian academic and training institutions to enhance skills in precision engineering, digital ship design, and integrated naval systems.
Ship construction will take place in Indonesia, supporting local industry while maintaining employment at Babcock facilities in Rosyth, Bristol, and Devonport.
Starmer emphasized that as a key G20 partner, Indonesia’s collaboration advances shared security interests and global stability.
The Maritime Partnership Programme is aligned with the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, which supports developing nations in ocean sustainability and poverty reduction, complementing Indonesia’s priorities for food security and marine biodiversity protection as the world’s largest archipelagic state.
