Jakarta. The Indonesian government has selected military shipbuilding company Naval Group to supply two Scorpène submarines that will be built in Indonesia.

The full lithium-ion battery (LiB) submarines will be built by state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL in Surabaya through a transfer of technology from Naval Group, the France-based company said in a press statement on Tuesday.

The project is based on the Defense Cooperation Agreement signed between France and Indonesia in August 2021, followed by the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between Naval Group and PT PAL in February 2022.

“Naval Group is very honored to be part of this new chapter in the strategic alliance between Indonesia and France. With Scorpène Evolved Full LiB, Indonesia has chosen a high-performant, sea-proven submarine that will strengthen the country’s maritime sovereignty and support the Indonesian Navy in achieving regional superiority at sea,” Naval Group Chairman and CEO Pierre Éric Pommellet said in the press statement. 

“We are pleased to welcome the Indonesian Navy in the Scorpène family,” he added.

According to the defense news website Janes, each vessel will have an overall length of 72 meters and displace between 1,600 and 2,000 tons. It will accommodate a crew of 31 with a total payload of 18 weapons and be equipped with six torpedo tubes.

Additionally, the submarine will have maximum submerged speeds in excess of 20 knots and can attain a maximum diving depth of 300 meters. 

“This step is a high commitment and trust of the Indonesian government in the capability of local engineers to advance defense technology, especially submarine technology,” PT PAL President Director Kaharuddin Djenod said. “In the future, Indonesia is expected to be able to master submarine technology.”

Scorpène Evolved is a high-performant and stealthy attack submarine that is also designed for shallow waters operations, said Naval Group.

The company is also supplying 14 other units for Chile, Malaysia, Brazil, and India.