Comparing FREMM and Iver Huitfeldt: Two Contenders of Indonesian Navy’s Latest Hardware
The plan to modernize the Indonesian Navy is currently getting public attention. Along with the low deterrence effect and Indonesia’s incapability to project its sea power outside its territory, ocean-going frigates procurement have become a priority. FREMM and Iver Huitfeldt are the two strongest candidates.
Since the appointee of Prabowo Subianto as the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, the popular hope of actualization of the modern, competitive, and deterring armed forces is escalating, as Prabowo has repeatedly revealed his initiative to modernize the weapon system (Gorbiano, 2020). Regionally, the centrality of the Indonesian role in ASEAN and the strengthening of geopolitical challenges in the South China Sea also put the initiative into the crucial decision (Rizani, 2020). Moreover, the sink of KRI Nanggala, one of the most strategic naval assets, happened in April 2021, indicated that most Indonesian weaponry is aging — increasing the necessity of naval modernization.
According to Santoso (2017), the modernization of the Indonesian Navy is projected to meet two strategic visions: the Minimum Essential Forces (MEF) policy and Global Maritime Axis — the late is being reasserted since the beginning of President Joko Widodo’s administration. As the world’s largest archipelagic state and located at the crossroad of two major oceans, Indonesia must take a bold decision to put its navy as the strategic force of the military. Thus, naval modernization must be prioritized at the highest stake. Still, the ineffective decision-making process, the lack of a comprehensive and renewed national strategic defense plan, and low defense budget management obstructing the modernization plan. The debate among defense analysts said that the navy may not meet the MEF requirements that will end in 2024, since only less than 50% of the MEF target accepted on the Rencana Strategies 2010–2024 as the priority guidance of the Indonesian military development (Collin, 2015).
The polemic of Indonesian naval modernization slowly cleared up with the signing of the contract between the Ministry of Defense and Fincantieri, on June 10, 2021 (Manaranche, 2021). Fincantieri has agreed to supply six Italian-built FREMM-class multipurpose frigates and two units of modernized Maestrale-class frigate. Currently, as cited from Janes (2021), a lot of debates stirred within the Indonesian defense forums regarding the most feasible frigates classes to be the future of Indonesian naval assets — Iver Huitfeldt (Denmark), Sigma (The Netherlands), Mogami (Japan), Arrowhead 140 (United Kingdom), and FREMM itself. As it is known, the Indonesian Navy cannot project its naval power beyond its territory as it yet possesses any ocean-going vessels. Whereas, the acquisition of ocean-going vessels has been a priority since the first phase of MEF following by the transfer of technology (ToT) of such naval elements. Eventually, according to Vavasseur (2020) and Strangio (2021), FREMM and Iver Huitfeldt are the most viable candidates for the Indonesian latest frigate classes, as both Odense Marine Technology (OMT) and Fincantieri have discussed the ToT agreement with PT PAL as the Indonesian partner and the contract negotiation is underway.
This analysis is aimed to compare the two candidates of the Indonesian navy’s newest assets, FREMM and Iver Huitfeldt. These two vessels have some major differences in their hardware, thus affecting their capabilities. The comparison is based on several aspects, such as the physical dimensions, the armament; radar and electronic systems; and its main role.
Physical Dimensions and Propulsions
As a modern ocean-going frigate, both FREMM and Iver Huitfeldt have between 120 to 150 meters (393.7 to 492.1 ft) length. As cited on Fincantieri’s official documents, FREMM is slightly longer — at 144.6 meters (474 ft) in length — meanwhile, Iver Huitfeldt is only 138.7 meters (454 ft). FREMM is almost 100-tons heavier than Iver Huitfeldt — with a displacement of 6,700 tons, as it has more canon and guns aboard. However, the Danish frigate is wider, with a beam of 19.75 m. With the larger size, FREMM may carry more crew than Iver Huitfeldt, with a complement of 201 sailors and officers, while the last may only carry 165. On the other side, the fewer complement of Iver Huitfeldt may indicate it has more advanced automatization of the naval warfare system than the FREMM has.
Both vessels also have different types of propulsion — FREMM is mainly powered by the combination of diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG), with a 32 Megawatts General Electric/Avio LM2500+ gas turbine, supported by two 2.5 Megawatts electric motors and four diesel generators in reserve. By those propulsions, FREMM may cruise for more than 12,600 kilometers (6,800 knots) with a maximum speed of 27 knots (50km/h). Meanwhile, Iver Huitfeldt relies on combined diesel engines (CODAD), with four MTU 8000 M70 as its main propulsion. As it lacks a gas turbine to boost the speed, it cruises slower at only 18 knots (33 km/h), comparing to FREMM’s 20 knots (37 km/h). Nonetheless, Iver Huitfeldt may reach more than 17,000 kilometers (9,300 knots) in range (Odense Maritime Technology, 2017).
The larger dimension of the FREMM also makes it able to carry more helicopters due to its double aviation facilities. Supported by its doubled hangars, FREMM may carry two medium-sized helicopters, for example, NH-90, or one heavier helicopter armed with torpedoes. The Danish vessel only has one hangar for a single medium-sized helicopter. It is an advantage for FREMM, as the importance of aviation elements — such as helicopters — to conduct a wider naval operation and aerial projection, especially anti-submarine mission or search and rescues (SAR).
Armament and Roles
Both FREMM and Iver Huitfeldt are suited for various operations — air defense, naval warfare, unconventional warfare, and anti-submarine. Nevertheless, as the better anti-aircraft weapon system equipped by Iver Huitfeldt, some experts classify the vessel class as an air-defense frigate (Johnson & Wakeling, 2017). The frigate has 32-cells of Mk-41 vertical launching system (VLS) — may launch up to 32 SM-2 IIIA surface-to-air missile, the newest version of US’ RIM-66 missile. It can reach an altitude of more than 24,000 meters with a maximum range of 160 kilometers. Moreover, there are additional 24-cells VLS for 48 RIM-162 ESSM as a supplementary anti-aircraft weapon — bringing a total of 56-cells VLS. Nonetheless, the VLS has the secondary role of an anti-ship weapon. On the other side, the FREMM has only 16-cells of MBDA SYLVER A50 VLS, which can launch Aster Missile for a limited range of 120 kilometers.
The FREMM — designed to carry out more various missions as a general-purpose frigate — is bolstered with more guns. It has a 127 mm Otobreda naval gun and twin 76 mm guns, while Iver Huitfeldt only has a single 76 mm gun. To protect itself from missile strikes, it is equipped with twin Oerlikon KBA remote weapon systems, compared to Iver Huitfeldt‘s single Oerlikon Millenium 35 mm CIWS. Even though it has fewer guns, Iver Huitfeldt has significant superiority on anti-ship warfare system with its Harpoon Block II missile launcher. It has newer technology and a better range than FREMM’s MBDA Otomat missile. Both FREMM and Iver Huitfeldt featured with WASS launcher for MU-90 torpedoes.
Radars and Electronic Systems
The notable role contrast of the two vessels also affected their radar architecture and electronic systems capabilities. As an air defense frigate focusing on deterring any aerial threats, Iver Huitfeldt is supported by numerous long-range radars. The Thales SMART-L (L-Band) is currently one of the best air patrol radars — capable to detect up to 1,000 targets within 400 kilometers. According to MDAA (2018), Iver’s defense systems are also supported by Saab CEROS-200 fire control radar (Ku-Band), capable to track anti-ship sea-skimming missiles. It has a significant edge ahead of FREMM’s Leonardo Kronos and RASS (C-Band) which only reach 250 kilometers of range and detecting up to 300 targets. Despite this, both the FREMM’s AESA radar systems have more advanced 3D-tracking and mapping, giving the vessel better maritime imagery.
In assisting their anti-submarine warfare, FREMM and Iver Huitfeldt are equipped with advanced sonars and decoy systems. The sonar fitted in both vessels has nearly the same characteristics: operated using medium frequencies band, featured with an advanced signal processing system, and multi-mode operation. The only difference is that the FREMM’s Thales UMS 4110 CL operates at a lower frequency than Iver Huitfeldt’s ASO HMS. Still, Iver Huitfeldt has a more advanced decoy system — Mark 36 SRBOC that launches chaff or infrared decoys. It is advantageous to adjunct the defensive weapon system and works simultaneously with the CIWS.
Conclusion
Both of the vessels have distinct characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks. As mentioned before, Iver Huitfeldt has significant superiority in anti-aircraft warfare, while FREMM could rule out the more diverse warfare missions, supported by more equally capable weaponry. These contrasts are also affecting the cost of both vessels — Iver Huitfeldt is generally cheaper, ranging from US$ 350–400 million, while FREMM, as mentioned by Vavasseur (2020), would cost US$ 750–800 million each.
By considering cost, security, and geopolitical issues faced by Indonesia, some experts argued that Iver Huitfeldt-class is more suitable to be the new frigate for bolstering the Indonesian Navy’s armada. Along with the Chinese militarization of the South China Sea (SCS), Iver Huitfeldt’s outstanding anti-aircraft warfare capacity may prevent the frequent airspace violation by the Chinese fighters based on the Spratly Islands. Moreover, China focuses on developing a world-class navy supported by numerous aircraft carriers that significantly increase the capability of aerial power projection.
Nevertheless, as Iver Huitfeldt is an exclusively built vessel with some of the indigenous technology retained, it is argued that the ToT process could be more complicated. This issue could be a consideration for the policymakers to appoint FREMM as the new frigate instead. In the beginning, FREMM itself is a joint project between the Italian and French naval consortiums, accordingly, the ToT negotiation is much easier. The FREMM also has been imported to Egypt — indicated that Fincantieri is more eager to cooperate with a foreign partner outside Europe and NATO in developing the maritime security sector. On another side, the talks of ToT between the Ministry of Defense and the Danish party regarding the procurement is still ongoing since June 2020 — probably hampered by undetermined reasons.
References
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Gorbiano, I. (n.d.). Jokowi backs Prabowo over weapons system modernization. The Jakarta Post. Retrieved from https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/01/24/jokowi-backs-prabowo-over-weapons-system-modernization.html
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