The useful question is what changes for users, developers or buyers, and whether the announcement stays industry context or becomes something people can actually use.

The Maritime Partnership Programme (MPP) was officially launched in Jakarta, attended by Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, UK Minister for Aviation, Maritime, and Decarbonisation Keir Mather, and senior officials from both governments. The event marked the signing of four landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with universities, industry partners, and programme stakeholders, focusing on workforce development, education, scholarships, and industrial capability. These agreements aim to support Indonesia’s maritime goals and the delivery of the MPP, building on the £4bn UK-Indonesia maritime deal signed in November 2025.

The MOUs reflect a broader strategy to invest across Indonesia’s maritime sector, reinforcing commitments under the UK-Indonesia Strategic Partnership established during President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s meeting in London on 20 January 2026. Babcock International’s Chief Executive, David Lockwood OBE, highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to Indonesia, emphasising investments in local people, industry, and the country’s future as a leading maritime nation. The agreements are intended to translate these commitments into tangible outcomes through collaborative partnerships.

British Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey CVO OBE described the MPP as a practical example of how international relationships deliver real benefits, including job creation, economic growth, and maritime resilience in the Indo-Pacific. He underscored the shared commitment of the UK and Indonesia to upholding freedom of navigation and a rules-based international order, while expanding opportunities for the next generation of Indonesian leaders.

Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, Ian Betts, welcomed the MPP as a significant step in deepening bilateral economic and industrial ties. He noted Babcock’s role in advancing Indonesia’s frigate capability through the Arrowhead 140 programme, which demonstrates the UK’s maritime expertise and long-term commitment to Indonesia’s maritime ambitions beyond defence.