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Milanion Group and PT Republik Palindo Internasional, a subsidiary of Republikorp, have signed a new collaboration agreement to significantly expand their unmanned surface vessel programme for the Indonesian Navy.
Announced at Eurosatory 2026, the latest agreement deepens a strategic partnership first formalised in 2025, moving the relationship into a new phase that covers an additional flotilla of fast-attack craft earmarked for autonomous conversion. Under the original contract, the companies committed to convert Indonesian-built 20-metre fast-attack boats into unmanned surface vessels (USVs) using Milanion’s Advanced Autonomous Conversion System. The new agreement extends this model, creating a pipeline of additional fast-attack craft to be delivered as unmanned or optionally manned platforms depending on specific mission needs.
The cooperation focuses on developing domestic USV capabilities to support national maritime surveillance, security, and operational requirements across Indonesia’s vast archipelagic domain. Straddling critical sea lanes, the world’s largest archipelagic nation requires advanced domain awareness to monitor and secure its territorial waters against evolving security challenges. The initial and expanded tranches will constitute a coherent, USV-capable fast-attack fleet capable of performing coastal patrol, chokepoint security, maritime domain awareness, and infrastructure protection.
By using a conversion-kit approach on locally designed and built platforms, the programme provides the Indonesian Navy with a practical, upgradeable route to unmanned capability that avoids lengthy clean-sheet development and retains industrial value within the country. The partnership operates on a sovereign industrial model where Indonesian industry, through RPAL and local shipyards, leads hull design, construction, and key on-shore activities. Milanion supplies the Advanced Autonomous Conversion Kit, mission systems, integration architecture, and engineering support to ensure the craft meet strict operational requirements.
RPAL serves as the strategic national partner and prime interface, aligning the programme with Indonesia’s defence-industrial policies and long-term maritime modernisation plans. The collaboration emphasizes technology and knowledge transfer, skills development, and long-term sustainment planning to enable Indonesian engineers and technicians to integrate, operate, and evolve unmanned maritime capabilities independently of foreign original equipment manufacturers.
The converted platforms provide a flexible capability for persistent presence and surveillance in high-traffic or remote areas, while reducing risk to personnel in higher-threat environments. They are engineered to operate independently or as part of distributed manned-unmanned teams alongside frigates, corvettes, aircraft, and shore-based assets, anchored in a domestic industrial base that understands the platforms from keel to code.
“We are already working to convert Indonesian‑built fast‑attack boats into USVs for the Indonesian Navy – this is a real programme in the water, not a paper concept,” said Davinder Dogra, CEO of Milanion Group. “The decision to expand the programme is a clear signal of confidence in what Milanion and RPAL have built together: a practical, scalable route to sovereign unmanned maritime capability that uses Indonesia’s own shipyards and industrial talent.”
“This partnership reflects our commitment to advancing Indonesia’s defence industry independence while building strong and balanced international collaboration. Together with Milanion, we see an opportunity to strengthen Indonesia’s maritime capabilities, develop national talent, and contribute to a more resilient defence ecosystem,” said Norman Joesoef, Chairman of Republikorp Group Holding.
