Indonesia has begun construction of its first Scorpène-class submarine at state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL’s shipyard in Surabaya, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to build an indigenous submarine production capability.
A steel-cutting ceremony on Aug. 7 formally marked the start of construction under the Scorpène for the Republic of Indonesia programme, according to PT PAL.
Two Scorpène submarines are planned to be built in Indonesia under an industrial cooperation programme with French naval shipbuilder Naval Group. PT PAL will be responsible for hull construction, equipment integration, testing, final assembly and delivery to the Indonesian Navy, while Naval Group is providing the submarine design, engineering support and technology and industrial capability transfer.
The Indonesian Scorpène submarines will be fitted with a cutting-edge energy system based on a full lithium-ion configuration which encompasses the highest security and safety standards and allows a higher range of useful energy, a better indiscretion rate and a reduced charging time. Thanks to this technology, high speed is available no matter the state of charge, increasing the submarine tactical mobility.”
The start of construction follows training and certification activities carried out by PT PAL personnel in France as part of the industrial cooperation programme.
(PT PAL)The programme is intended to strengthen Indonesia’s domestic naval industrial capabilities and reduce reliance on overseas support for the operation and maintenance of its future submarine fleet.
Under the agreed industrial arrangement, PT PAL said management, operation and maintenance of the submarines will be carried out in Indonesia, with Naval Group maintaining a technical support presence at the Surabaya shipyard.
The construction of the two submarines is expected to expand PT PAL’s capabilities in complex naval shipbuilding and support the development of a skilled domestic workforce.
For Indonesia, the programme represents an effort to develop greater autonomy in the construction, integration and long-term support of advanced underwater platforms as Jakarta seeks to strengthen its maritime defence capabilities.