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Defense Ministry orders 8 frigates from Ficantieri, Italy's largest shipbuilder
A Maestrale belonging to the Italian navy is seen in an undated photo. © Reuters
JAKARTA -- Indonesia's Defense Ministry has ordered eight frigates from Ficantieri, Italy's largest shipbuilder.
The deal, announced on Thursday by the Italian company, comes amid heightened tensions in the region with China stepping up incursions into Southeast Asian airspace and waters, and less than a week before defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations hold their annual meeting.
The vessels are six FREMM multipurpose frigates, and two Maestrale-class frigates. The deal is "of the utmost importance to strengthen the collaboration between two countries in a strategic area of the Pacific," Ficantieri said in a statement.
The value of the deal as well as the delivery data of the vessels were not disclosed, but the two Maestrale class vessels will only be available once the Italian Navy retires them from service and Ficantieri refurbishes them.
Indonesia has a plan to modernize its military equipment by 2024 -- a need that is becoming more pertinent as territorial disputes with China rage on.
Indonesian territorial claims in the South China Sea do not directly conflict with China's, but the exclusive economic zone around Indonesia's Natuna archipelago overlaps with the nine-dash line. Chinese fishing boats have repeatedly operated in the area.
In July last year, Indonesia's navy conducted a four-day exercise in the South China Sea, with a portion staged near the Natuna Islands.
Other parties involved in the South China Sea dispute are the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam. Beijing and other governments have bolstered patrols in the region, contributing to the increased incursions.
asia.nikkei.com
A Maestrale belonging to the Italian navy is seen in an undated photo. © Reuters
JAKARTA -- Indonesia's Defense Ministry has ordered eight frigates from Ficantieri, Italy's largest shipbuilder.
The deal, announced on Thursday by the Italian company, comes amid heightened tensions in the region with China stepping up incursions into Southeast Asian airspace and waters, and less than a week before defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations hold their annual meeting.
The vessels are six FREMM multipurpose frigates, and two Maestrale-class frigates. The deal is "of the utmost importance to strengthen the collaboration between two countries in a strategic area of the Pacific," Ficantieri said in a statement.
The value of the deal as well as the delivery data of the vessels were not disclosed, but the two Maestrale class vessels will only be available once the Italian Navy retires them from service and Ficantieri refurbishes them.
Indonesia has a plan to modernize its military equipment by 2024 -- a need that is becoming more pertinent as territorial disputes with China rage on.
Indonesian territorial claims in the South China Sea do not directly conflict with China's, but the exclusive economic zone around Indonesia's Natuna archipelago overlaps with the nine-dash line. Chinese fishing boats have repeatedly operated in the area.
In July last year, Indonesia's navy conducted a four-day exercise in the South China Sea, with a portion staged near the Natuna Islands.
Other parties involved in the South China Sea dispute are the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam. Beijing and other governments have bolstered patrols in the region, contributing to the increased incursions.
Indonesia bolsters navy as China steps up incursions around ASEAN
Defense Ministry orders 8 frigates from Fincantieri, Italy's largest shipbuilder
asia.nikkei.com
