Turkey’s TAIS Shipyards has concluded a $1-billion agreement with Qatar-based Barzan Holding to build two frigates for the Indonesian Navy.
The deal involves two Istanbul-class frigates and was formalized on the sidelines of the DIMDEX 2026 International Maritime Defense Exhibition in Doha. It follows a preliminary agreement signed between TAIS and Indonesia in July, representing the first export success for the Istanbul-class design.
Media reports indicate that the arrangement goes beyond a traditional shipbuilding contract, incorporating elements such as risk-sharing mechanisms, financing structures, and coordinated industrial participation.
The procurement aligns with Indonesia’s broader naval modernization strategy, aimed at enhancing surface combat capabilities while strengthening both domestic and international defence industrial partnerships.
Earlier this year, the Indonesian Navy commissioned the first of four Thaon di Revel-class frigates constructed by Italy’s Fincantieri. Simultaneously, Indonesia is building two domestically produced frigates based on the UK-designed Arrowhead 140 platform developed by Babcock.
Developed under Turkey’s MİLGEM program, the Istanbul-class frigate is a larger and more advanced evolution of the Ada-class corvette and is intended to replace Turkey’s ageing Yavuz-class vessels.
The design features a 113.2-meter hull, a 14.4-meter beam, and a displacement of approximately 3,150 tons. Powered by a combined diesel-and-gas propulsion system, the frigate can exceed speeds of 29 knots and has an operational range of about 5,700 nautical miles at cruising speed.
Constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, the frigates are equipped with indigenous Turkish systems, including Roketsan’s ATMACA anti-ship missiles, the MİDLAS vertical launch system, ASELSAN’s Gökdeniz CIWS and CENK-S AESA radar, and HAVELSAN’s ADVENT combat management system.
The vessels are designed to perform a wide range of missions such as maritime surveillance, patrol duties, EEZ enforcement, and threat detection and deterrence.
