Downing Street said the Prime Minister spoke with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto from Johannesburg on Saturday, 22 November 2025, confirming a new £4bn maritime partnership. The readout, published on GOV.UK, framed it as the base for a longer‑term defence relationship aimed at jobs and growth in both countries.

For investors and operators, the figure is important but the structure will decide who benefits. The statement did not specify platforms, vessel types or build locations, which implies details will follow through defence and export channels. For now, the number points to a multi‑year pipeline rather than a single contract.

Why it matters for the UK economy: maritime programmes spread spend across ship design, propulsion, radar, electronics, training and through‑life support. That mix typically touches hundreds of suppliers, many of them SMEs near coastal manufacturing hubs. If executed, it should support steadier order visibility rather than a one‑off spike.

Financing will be watched closely. Large overseas defence orders often rely on buyer credit or guarantees arranged through government export finance agencies. Expect discussions on payment schedules, local‑content commitments in Indonesia and training packages, all of which shape how much value lands with UK firms and when cash actually hits.

Beyond hardware, the leaders said they would deepen ties on education and wider economic growth. That opens space for maritime training, engineering exchanges and digital support services-areas where British universities and specialist consultancies regularly partner with ASEAN clients.

Geopolitics featured. The Prime Minister welcomed Indonesia’s commitments to an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza and briefed on efforts to curb Russia’s energy revenues that fund the war in Ukraine. These threads matter for markets: shipping insurance, energy prices and capital flows respond quickly to policy signals.

Practical next steps for suppliers are straightforward. Track government defence and export notices for pre‑qualification windows and early supplier engagement. Review export‑control requirements now, map currency exposure on imported components, and stress‑test working capital for staged payments and long receivables.

Scrutiny is part of the equation. Big‑ticket defence exports bring obligations on end‑use assurances, transparency over intermediaries and value‑for‑money where public guarantees are involved. Clear milestones and published procurement timetables would help firms plan bids and manage hiring with less guesswork.

Both leaders signalled they would speak again soon. Until specifications and financing mechanics are public, preparation beats prediction: identify where your products fit, tidy the compliance paperwork and line up partners so you can move the moment invitations to tender arrive.