Indonesia selects Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun

The Indonesian navy has selected BAE Systems’ Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun system for its fleet of KCR-60 fast-attack vessels. 

The initial contracts with government-owned shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia will include the delivery of four 57 Mk3 gun systems, a naval gun designed to address surface, air, and land threats in the littoral environment.

The Bofors 57 Mk 3 is already in service with a number of navies and coast guards, including in the US, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Mexico. 

‘This most recent contract with PT PAL Indonesia signifies the nation’s continued trust that BAE Systems’ naval guns consistently meet quality requirements and capability needs,’ Ulf Einefors, director of Weapon Systems Sweden at BAE Systems, said. 

The KCR-60 is 60m long, and was designed to deploy guided anti-ship missiles against surface combatants, and to then be able to rapidly withdraw into the region’s archipelagos. 

Three KCR-60 vessels are currently in service with the Indonesian navy, and a fourth ship is scheduled to be operational in 2021. 

Two of the new 57 Mk3 systems will be for two KCR-60 vessels currently under construction, while the remaining guns that have been requested will be integrated onto two existing KCR-60 ships. 

The gun systems will be produced at BAE Systems’ facilities in Karlskoga, Sweden, and the first unit is scheduled for delivery in 2020 and the final unit in 2021.