Indonesia Selects France and CLS to Boost Marine Weather Capabilities

27 May 2025

(Image credit: CLS)

CLS, a subsidiary of the French Space Agency (CNES) and investment firm CNP, and a global leader in Earth observation and environmental monitoring services has announced the signing of a major €93 million agreement with Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). This agreement marks the start of Phase Two of Indonesia’s next-generation Marine Meteorology System (MMS). With over 17,000 islands and maritime zones covering nearly 70% of its territory, Indonesia is deeply connected to the sea. This ambitious project aims to strengthen the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of maritime operations across the archipelago.

As part of the MMS project, CLS and its partners will equip Indonesia with over 200 advanced observation instruments, high-performance computing capabilities, and AI-powered modeling to deliver accurate weather and ocean forecasts, along with real-time sea monitoring.

This cutting-edge system is key to supporting Indonesia’s bold vision to:

Establish itself as a Global Maritime Axis by improving connectivity, strengthening the blue economy, and boosting tourism
Enhance national food security

The advanced meteorological services enabled by the MMS project will empower Indonesia to anticipate hazardous weather and ocean conditions and to plan maritime operations with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency—ultimately benefiting millions of citizens who rely on the sea for their daily lives.

Backed by CLS’ expertise, the MMS project is built on a robust in-situ observation network that includes drifting buoys, profilers, weather stations, coastal radars, and more. These data collection tools are integrated with high-performance computing infrastructure, delivering up to 2 petaflops of processing power and 6 petabytes of storage—forming a comprehensive system for weather and ocean forecasting.

Leveraging probabilistic modeling and deep learning, MMS provides advanced services such as early warning alerts for coastal flooding. The result is safer and more efficient use of Indonesia’s maritime domain for all stakeholders—from fishermen and maritime businesses to port authorities and coastal communities.

Sophie Besnard, Director of International Development at CLS: “This project reflects the level of excellence CLS has achieved in deploying marine instruments, collecting data, delivering forecasts, and integrating AI into its operations. By working closely with BMKG and benefiting from the support of the French government, CLS is committed to advancing marine meteorology and supporting Indonesia’s leadership in ocean forecasting and climate action. Launched in 2020, the first phase of the project will culminate in 2028. Spanning nearly a decade, this large-scale initiative embodies a strong strategic vision for Indonesia’s maritime future. We are honored by the trust placed in us by Indonesia, and particularly by BMKG.”