PT PAL, Indonesia’s state-owned naval shipbuilder, has advanced to the pre-production stage of the Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarine program for the Indonesian Navy.
The effort forms part of a 2024 initiative to locally manufacture two next-generation submarines as Jakarta pushes forward with its maritime defense modernization strategy.
PT PAL stated that work in the current phase includes design finalization, preparation of production facilities, infrastructure development, and workforce training before construction activities officially begin.
The future submarines will be upgraded variants of Naval Group’s Scorpene-class design, equipped with lithium-ion battery systems in place of traditional lead-acid batteries.
This configuration removes the requirement for air-independent propulsion technology while enhancing endurance, underwater mobility, and overall operational capability.
PT PAL President Director Kaharuddin Djenod said the project represents an important achievement for Indonesia’s defense manufacturing sector.
He noted that Indonesia has become the first ASEAN nation to build its own submarines, highlighting the country’s growing expertise in advanced naval construction technologies, including lithium-ion propulsion integration.
To support the program, PT PAL engineers are participating in specialized training with Naval Group in Cherbourg, France, where Indonesian personnel are learning how to manufacture and certify major submarine hull sections within Indonesia.
