August 6, 2016: Indonesia has ordered another locally built Makassar class LPD (Landing Platform Dock). Four are already in service with the Indonesian Navy and four have been sold to foreign customers (Peru and Philippines). For export customers Indonesia will customize the basic design.

It was a big deal back in 2009 Indonesia when commissioned its first domestically built LPD amphibious ship. This was the third of four Makassar class ships. The first two were built in South Korea. The last two ships of the class are being built in Indonesia with technical training and special ship building equipment supplied by South Korea. Many of the Makassar components were imported from South Korea but that will change as Indonesia expands its military ship building capability. The Makassar design was based on an earlier, 16,000 ton LPD South Korea built for Indonesia (which has since been converted into a hospital ship.)

The Makassar class ships displace 11,300 tons, have a crew of 126 and can carry up to 400 troops (normally 218 are carried). Several dozen vehicles can be carried, including armored ones (up to 13 tanks). Top speed is 28 kilometers an hour, while most economical speed is 21 kilometers an hour. Endurance is 30 days (or 18,000 kilometers). The ship carries two LCVP landing craft and five helicopters.

Weapons carried include a 40mm autocannon or 100mm gun, a 20mm anti-aircraft gun, several 12.7mm machine-guns and two Mistral anti-aircraft missile launchers (with a range of 5 kilometers).

Indonesia is also building LSTs and numerous types of patrol boats and small warships locally for itself and eventually export customers.