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The United Kingdom has announced a £4 billion maritime deal with Indonesia.
The new Maritime Partnership Programme will be led by British defence firm Babcock and will see the UK and Indonesia jointly develop maritime capability for Indonesia’s navy and more than 1,000 vessels for its fishing fleets to boost seafood consumption and in turn, food security.
The boats will be built in Indonesia using British shipbuilding expertise, which will support 1,000 jobs in the UK across Rosyth, Bristol and Plymouth.
In Indonesia, the program is expected to unlock major investment in local shipbuilding, revitalise fishing communities, enhance Indonesia’s defence and maritime security, and boost food security. It is expected to deliver on Indonesia’s ambition to grow food production responsibly while safeguarding its marine biodiversity.
“This deal with Indonesia is the latest example of how our strong international partnerships are delivering real benefit for people at home in jobs, opportunity and growth,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer after discussing the agreement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the G20 Summit.
“And as one of our closest G20 partners, it reinforces our joint commitment to global stability and bolsters our shared national security.”
The new partnership with Indonesia builds on the strong existing maritime cooperation links between both countries, including recent visits to Jakarta by the UK Carrier Strike Group over the summer and Batch 2 River Class patrol vessel HMS Spey earlier in the year.
The agreement is expected to boost collaboration between UK and Indonesian educational institutions to share skills in precision engineering, digital ship design and integrated naval systems.
“The Maritime Partnership Programme between Indonesia and the UK is a major investment and commitment, building on the strong foundations between nations while driving economic growth for both countries,” Babcock chief executive David Lockwood said.
“Babcock is proud to be leading the UK’s industrial support for this international program which will advance critical Indonesian naval and maritime programs.
“We will also generate positive economic impact across the UK, supporting high-value jobs, while stimulating the supply chain and SME opportunities.”
Supported by the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, which supports developing countries to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty, the future vessels will be deployed in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable way. This includes projects on dynamic fish-stock assessment, fisheries management, marine conservation and community-led coastal resilience initiatives.
“Through our historic partnership, we will develop and build our vessels domestically, supported by the expertise, experience and technology from the United Kingdom,” Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said.
“The program marks a new phase in the Indonesia–UK bilateral relationship. This collaboration will mutually drive our economies, create high-quality jobs and, more importantly, advance Indonesia’s shipbuilding and defence capabilities.
“Crucially, it will also empower our local fishermen and coastal communities by presenting significant new economic opportunities.”
The program forms an integral part of the broader strategic partnership that the Prime Minister and President Prabowo committed to in November last year.
