Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL, in partnership with France’s Naval Group, has officially begun construction of the first two Evolved Scorpène-class submarines for the Indonesian Navy at its shipyard in Surabaya, East Java.
The project is being executed under a contract signed with Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence in 2024, through which the country selected the French Navy’s proven Scorpène-class diesel-electric attack submarine design to strengthen its underwater warfare capabilities.
A key element of the programme is an extensive technology transfer initiative. Indonesian engineers and technicians have undergone advanced training at Naval Group’s facilities in Cherbourg, France, covering submarine welding, structural fabrication, mechanical and electrical integration, and quality assurance processes.
Construction officially commenced with a steel-cutting ceremony held two months ahead of the planned schedule. The milestone followed the successful completion of a qualification process that certified PT PAL’s workforce, production infrastructure, and manufacturing standards for indigenous submarine construction.
Naval Group Programme Director Vincent Vimont described the achievement as further confirmation of PT PAL’s growing capabilities, highlighting the company as a strategic partner in advanced naval defence manufacturing.
Advanced Capabilities
According to Naval News, the Evolved Scorpène submarines will be equipped with lithium-ion battery technology, the SUBTICS combat management system developed by Naval Group, six 533 mm torpedo tubes, and the capability to launch heavyweight torpedoes as well as Exocet anti-ship cruise missiles.
Once operational, each submarine is expected to achieve a range exceeding 8,000 nautical miles (approximately 14,816 kilometres) while remaining deployed at sea for up to 80 days.
The first submarine is scheduled for delivery in 2032, with the second expected in 2033. The programme is also anticipated to generate approximately 2,250 jobs while strengthening Indonesia’s domestic naval shipbuilding industry through technology transfer and local manufacturing.
