Bung Tomo-class

Summary

Description

The Bung Tomo class comprises three multi-role patrol corvettes serving the Indonesian Navy, originally constructed for the Royal Brunei Navy as the Nakhoda Ragam-class corvettes. These ships, named after prominent figures in Indonesian history, were part of a contract awarded in 1995 to GEC-Marconi and built by BAE Systems Marine. However, due to a dispute, Brunei refused to accept the ships, and eventually, a settlement favored BAE Systems. Subsequently, the three vessels were sold to Indonesia in 2013 for half their original cost.

These corvettes, a variant of the F2000 design, were launched between 2001 and 2002. Their armament initially included MBDA Exocet Block II anti-ship missiles, MBDA Seawolf air defense missiles, a 76mm main gun by Oto Melara, two torpedo tubes, two 30mm remote weapon stations, and facilities for helicopter operations. However, plans were made to replace the Seawolf missile system, which was out of service due to expiration, with the VL Mica system as of 2018.

Operational history of the Bung Tomo-class corvettes includes search and recovery efforts for Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 that crashed in the Java Sea in 2014. KRI Bung Tomo took part in these efforts, and the KRI Usman Harun helped locate the flight's black boxes with its sonar system. KRI Bung Tomo was also involved in the search for the missing KRI Nanggala (402) submarine in 2021.

The Bung Tomo class includes KRI Bung Tomo, named after the independence movement leader Sutomo, KRI John Lie, named after a national hero and one of the first high-ranking navy commanders, and KRI Usman Harun, commemorating two men executed following the MacDonald House bombing, which led to a controversy between Singapore and Indonesia.

The corvettes have undergone modernization with an agreement signed in March 2020 between Len Industri and Thales for upgrades to the mission system of KRI Usman Harun. The updates include the TACTICOS Combat Management System, SMART-S Mk2 3D and STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 radars, Vigile Mk2 ESM, and new tactical data links. These improvements would provide enhanced air defense with the integration of the VL MICA missile system and also prolong the service life of the frigate, with completion anticipated by the end of 2023. These upgrades emphasize the commonality with other Indonesian Naval systems, aiming to simplify training, maintenance, and management.

Technical specifications