One of the world's leading shipbuilding companies from Italy, Fincantieri, confirmed that it had signed a cooperation contract with the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia under Defense Minister Prabowo for the provision of frigates.
Quoting from the company's official website, Fincantieri will provide six new FREMM class frigates and two former Maestrale class frigates along with the necessary logistical support.
Fincantieri claims the order from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense is a success for the company and Italy, which already has 10 FREMM class frigates. The agreement is also very important to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
"Fincantieri will be the main contractor for the entire program," the official Fincantieri website wrote as quoted by CNBC Indonesia, Thursday (10/6/2021).
The company claims the construction of the frigates will provide significant benefits, not only to several shipyards in Italy in the coming years, but also to other companies in the sector. For example, Leonardo and small and medium-sized companies in Italy.Fincantieri also did not rule out collaborating with Indonesian state-owned companies in the shipping sector, namely PT PAL (Persero).
"The modernization of the two Maestrale-class ships, which Fincantieri will acquire from the Italian Navy once decommissioned, will also take place in Italy," Fincantieri wrote.
Responding to this collaboration, CEO of Fincantieri Giuseppe Bono said that the move would have an impact on the company's position in the global arena, especially in the surface ship sector. This collaboration is also proof that the company has the capacity in the shipping technology sector.
"This program has tremendous strategic importance both in terms of economic returns to the country and the supply chain of the Italian defense sector. This will also pave the way for the finalization of further negotiations for other existing programs," said Bono.
He thanked the Italian Navy for its contribution to making Fincantieri's ships appreciated around the world.
CNBC Indonesia has contacted the Head of Public Relations Bureau of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense Marsma TNI Penny Radjendra regarding Fincantieri's official statement. However, until this news is published, no response has been given.
