Indonesia buys two Scorpene submarines from French manufacturer Naval Group

New success of the French naval industrialist. Indonesia has ordered two Scorpène submarines from Naval Group, which will be built at Indonesia’s PT PAL shipyard, the naval defense manufacturer said in a press release on Tuesday. In a message published on the X network (formerly Twitter), Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu welcomed the “sign of confidence from our partner.”

The contract, for an undisclosed amount, builds on a defense cooperation agreement between Paris and Jakarta in August 2021, during which Indonesia also announced the acquisition of 42 Rafale combat aircraft.

“Indonesia has selected a combat-ready, sea-proven submarine that will strengthen the country’s maritime sovereignty. Beyond submarines, our strategic partnership with PT PAL will also enable the Indonesian defense industry to proactively prepare for the future of naval warfare,” Naval Group CEO Pierre-Eric Pommelle said as quoted in the press release.

“Through significant transfer of know-how and the development of specific Indonesian industrial skills, the management, operation and maintenance of submarines will be provided in Indonesia by Indonesian players,” the group also rejoiced in a press release.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 17,000 islands, has increased contracts with French defense manufacturers in recent years. Last year, the country acquired 13 military air surveillance radars. The Scorpène submarines will be built in Indonesia “thanks to the transfer of know-how and technology to Naval Group”, with the contract value awarded to PT PAL representing 30% of the total, according to the French group.

Serial sales

Capable of diving to depths of more than 300 m, the Scorpène Evolved, delivered to Indonesia, will be equipped with a traditional diesel-electric propulsion system and lithium-ion batteries. They provide a dive endurance of more than 12 days and can be quickly recharged during a periscope dive thanks to a snorkel, a tube that pierces the surface to allow the diesel engine to run, according to a Naval Group source. With a length of 72 m, they will carry a crew of 31 sailors and 18 torpedoes and missiles.

Scorpène, a “modern, efficient and stealthy submarine”, according to the group, has already sold 14 units to Brazil (4 submarines), Chile (2), Malaysia (2) and India (6). Success is a far cry from the trauma of losing an important contract with Australia in 2022. However, the French Navy, which only has nuclear submarines, is not equipped with it.

The contract underscores a promising start to the year for Naval Group, which won a tender in the Netherlands in mid-March to build four Barracuda-class submarines. According to Dutch Defense Minister Christoph van der Maat, the value of the contract, which has yet to be awarded, will be less than 5.6 billion euros. Last year the group’s turnover was 4.3 billion euros, with orders totaling almost 3.4 billion euros.