UK backs Indonesia's plan to build 1,500 fishing vessels: Prabowo

hartono · Jan 21, 2026

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (right) meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) at 10 Downing Street, London, on Tuesday (January 20, 2026). ANTARA FOTO/Galih Pradipta.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) supports Indonesia's plan to build 1,500 fishing vessels under the two countries' maritime cooperation framework.

The issue was among the topics discussed during a meeting between President Prabowo and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street in London on Tuesday local time, alongside strategic cooperation and opportunities in education.

“They will support our plan to build 1,500 fishing vessels, because we want to invest in this on a massive scale,” Prabowo told the press at Lancaster House, London.

He emphasized that three-quarters of Indonesia’s territory consists of ocean, meaning the state must step in to meet fishers’ needs by providing capable, high-quality vessels.

He expressed confidence that meeting these needs would increase fish and seafood catches and, in turn, raise protein consumption levels among the Indonesian population.

“We want to revitalize our fishing villages, improve fishers' quality of life, and increase the people’s protein consumption levels,” he remarked.

Prabowo further noted that the partnership with the UK represents a strategic opportunity to accelerate Indonesia’s economic growth and development, particularly in the maritime sector.

During his one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Starmer, President Prabowo also mentioned that he had met with the CEO of Babcock as part of his visit to the UK this week.

Babcock is a British engineering and defense company partnering with Indonesia to help build the country’s new fishing fleet. The president expressed Indonesia’s strong interest in following up on the cooperation, describing it as vital to the nation’s maritime economic development.