The vessel is named after the Cakra, a weapon in the form of a wheel with teeth resembling spearheads that was owned by Batara Wisnu, a recurring character in wayang puppet theatre.

[3] KRI Cakra was ordered on 2 April 1977,[1] laid down on 25 November 1977 and completed on 18 March 1981.

[6][7] Both Cakra-class vessels underwent major refits at HDW spanning three years from 1986 to 1989.

Cakra was refitted again at Surabaya from 1993 to April 1997, including replacement batteries and updated Sinbad TFCS.

Work is reported to have included new batteries, overhaul of engines and modernisation of the combat system.