PKR frigate embarks on trials

Delivery of the first SIGMA 10514 PKR naval frigate to the Indonesian Navy is inching closer with the first vessel successfully completing its sea trials, Damen announced on 13 September.

The trials took place in the Java Sea over the course of two weeks. Vessel systems were put through their paces, including tests of weapons systems and the combat radar, and commissioning of the sonar. Noise measurements and cavitation observations were also carried out.

Seven days of basin trials were carried out prior to the vessel departing the PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya to ensure that the propulsion and safety systems were fully operational.

According to Damen, almost all systems passed their assessments first time around. Some elements, such as the accommodation, require minor modifications and these will be undertaken prior to three days of final tests at the end of September.

The 105-metre, 2,365 tonne PKR frigates are designed to undertake a wide range of missions in and around the waters of Indonesia. Their primary mission is anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. They are also equipped for maritime security, search and rescue, and humanitarian support tasks.

The two vessels are being been built simultaneously at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) in the Netherlands and PT PAL shipyard in Indonesia. Each is made up of six modules, and for the first vessel four of these were built at PT PAL. The other two were built and fully tested at DSNS in the Netherlands before being shipped for final assembly at PT PAL.