The UK and Indonesia have agreed to begin a Maritime Partnership Programme (MPP) enabling Jakarta to build naval and fishing vessels using British shipbuilding expertise. Announced following a call between the British Prime Minister and Indonesia’s President, the £4-billion ($5.2-billion) program appoints Babcock as the lead industrial partner. The MPP is part of the broader Strategic Partnership signed in November 2024 and focuses on technology transfer, co-development of advanced shipbuilding methods, automation, and artificial intelligence. Babcock will also facilitate academic collaboration between UK and Indonesian institutions to strengthen skills in digital ship design, precision engineering, and integrated naval systems. All vessels will be built in Indonesia, supporting local industry while sustaining jobs at Babcock’s UK sites in Rosyth, Bristol, and Devonport. The initiative aligns with the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, supporting maritime sustainability, poverty reduction, and food security. For Indonesia, the program strengthens marine biodiversity protection and advances its shipbuilding capabilities as the world’s largest archipelagic nation.
