JAKARTA: Indonesia has opened talks with France on the possibility of acquiring additional advanced submarines from Naval Group, beyond the two Scorpene Evolved diesel-electric attack submarines scheduled to begin construction in July 2026.
State-run shipyard PT PAL Indonesia production director Diana Rosa said the move reflected a strategic partnership between the two countries that extended beyond business into politics, economics, technology and human resource development.
“There have been talks on adding more submarines, though not yet in detail. We are not only focused on the Scorpene Evolved class, but also looking ahead to more advanced platforms in terms of weapon systems and capabilities,” Diana told reporters at PT PAL’s submarine construction facility during the launch of the Scorpene Republic of Indonesia (SRI) programme on Thursday (July 2).
As part of long-term preparations, PT PAL has been upgrading the skills of its engineers, highlighted by the completion of the Qualification Section on Dec 12, 2025.
Diana said the milestone marked effective technology transfer from Naval Group and ensured Indonesian engineers met world-class submarine manufacturing standards. Diana said the company’s engineers were undergoing significant skill upgrades through intensive training in Cherbourg, France, under Naval Group supervision.
“Many fields and expertise are being explored, and PT PAL engineers will improve their quality. Although they already have experience assembling submarines, our specialists were still sent to France to be assessed against Naval Group’s standards,” she said.
“PT PAL has experience with joint sections, but this is the first time a submarine is being built entirely in Indonesia by our own experts under Naval Group’s oversight.”
PT PAL project director Rear Adm. (ret) Wiranto said the submarines will have a 30 per cent local content rate. He, however, did not specify which part of the submarines would be locally made.
Wiranto also said that the lithium-ion battery-equipped submarines would be capable of diving to 400. He added that PT PAL aimed to become a long-term partner for Naval Group, focusing on maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of Scorpene submarines already in service worldwide, and potentially building future orders in Indonesia.
The first submarine will enter the steel-cutting phase in July and the second in mid-2027. Both will be built in parallel lines over seven years, with an option to accelerate.
Armed with 18 Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes, Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles, A3SM (MICA) anti-air missiles and naval mines, all deployable from six 533 mm torpedo tubes, the submarines are expected to significantly boost Indonesia’s naval deterrence.
During the media visit, PT PAL also showcased its newly completed 6,000-tonne shiplift facility, designed to support warship construction, maintenance and modernisation. Certified by Lloyd’s Register, the shiplift has a maximum capacity of 9,240 tonnes, a transfer system capacity of 3,690 tonnes and a 100-metre platform powered by electric motors.
Meanwhile, Naval Group’s Indonesian programme director Vincent Vimont said the company’s current priority was to provide submarine design, transfer construction capabilities and train crews.
“The SRI submarine program will absorb a significant workforce, around 1,200 jobs, consisting of production, support and maintenance positions,” Vimont said. Vimont reaffirmed the company’s full commitment to transferring submarine construction technology to PT PAL, covering the entire process from the initial cutting of special steel plates to the completion of the vessel and its sea trials.
“We will deliver comprehensive technology transfer, enabling whole local production. This includes building the pressure hull, hull pre-outfitting, outfitting of modules and final assembly. Everything will be conveyed,” he said.
Vimont emphasised that the technology transfer provided to PT PAL for the construction of the Scorpene Evolved submarines represented the most up-to-date capability compared to similar programmes offered to other countries.
“This is the latest and highest-level technology. It is different from the others,” Vimont said. He added that the completion of the Qualification Section demonstrated PT PAL Indonesia’s readiness as a strategic partner in building modern submarines.
“This collaboration is not just about producing two submarines, but about establishing a sustainable foundation for national capability,” he said.
“Technology transfer, the development of Indonesian engineers’ competencies, and PT PAL’s involvement in the entire production process are clear evidence that Indonesia is increasingly prepared to master strategic technology and strengthen the independence of its defense industry. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
