Royal New Zealand Navy frigate visits Jakarta

The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) frigate HMNZS Te Kaha has arrived in Jakarta on a goodwill port visit – the first visit to Indonesia by a RNZN vessel since 2017.

01 July, 2025

The two day visit forms part of HMNZS Te Kaha’s role in supporting the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group, currently operating in the Indo-Pacific. The ship is berthed alongside Royal Navy and Spanish Navy vessels also visiting Jakarta during this period.

Commodore Shane Arndell, the RNZN’s Maritime Component Commander, who is in Jakarta to welcome Te Kaha to Indonesia’s capital, will also take the opportunity to meet with senior leaders of the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL), including the Republic of Indonesia Fleet Commander.

“This visit by Te Kaha reflects the importance of the defence relationship between New Zealand and Indonesia,” said Commodore Arndell. “Ours is a shared commitment to regional maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and this is a welcome opportunity to continue our dialogue and cooperation with the Indonesian Navy.”

A group of uniformed military personnel stand in front of a military ship. All the people have their hands in front of them and are looking at the camera.

HMNZS Te Kaha alongside in Jakarta with representatives of the Indonesian Navy, members of the ship’s company and the NZDF Defence Attache

While in Jakarta, sailors from HMNZS Te Kaha will take part in a programme of engagement with their Indonesian Navy counterparts, including sporting matches and a professional exchange briefing on the ship’s recent deployment with the New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150.

CTF150 is a multinational maritime security operation focused on denying funds to terrorist and criminal organisations through narcotics smuggling in the Middle East. Over the last six months, ships attached to CTF150 have seized over 7,000kg of narcotics worth $NZ1.8billion.

Other activities being conducted during the visit include a courtesy call by HMNZS Te Kaha’s Commanding Officer, Commander Fiona Jameson, on the local naval base commander, and an official ship reception co-hosted by Commodore Arndell and New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Phillip Taula.

HMNZS Te Kaha’s visit follows the RNZN’s Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding's participation in the International Maritime Security in Bali earlier this year, and underscores New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to maritime partnerships and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

When HMNZS Te Kaha departs Jakarta it will sail to Australia to participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre.