The contract for the construction of two Scorpène Evolved attack submarines on Indonesian territory officially entered into force on July 23, marking a new milestone in the strategic partnership between France and Indonesia. The submarines will be built entirely at PT PAL’s shipyard facilities, under a broad technology transfer program led by the Naval Group–PT PAL consortium.
Both submarines, powered by a diesel-electric system with lithium batteries, will be designed, assembled, and commissioned within the country—an essential step toward achieving technological autonomy in naval defense for Indonesia. According to both parties, the management, operation, and maintenance of these vessels will be carried out by local personnel, thereby ensuring operational sovereignty and the creation of thousands of highly qualified jobs in the long term.
Since the signing of the agreement in April 2024, preparations have been ongoing. Design activities, early component procurement, and project planning have advanced continuously. In the coming weeks, welders from PT PAL will travel to France for specialized hands-on training, while more than 50 Naval Group experts will relocate to Indonesia with the goal of training over 400 Indonesian engineers in submarine construction.
“The implementation of this contract is a key milestone in the strategic alliance between Indonesia and France. Together with our partner PT PAL, we support Indonesia’s goal of consolidating a modern, sovereign, and resilient naval industry,” said Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group.
Meanwhile, PT PAL President Dr. Kaharuddin Djenod celebrated the progress: “This step represents the Indonesian government’s commitment and trust in our capabilities to master submarine technology. The local production will be fully backed by state capital (PMN), with a view toward achieving true independence for our defense industry.”
Long-term strategic commitment
As part of the cooperation process, on June 12 Naval Group signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Indonesian defense industry, as well as an agreement with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), to develop future joint R&D programs in naval defense technologies.
This commitment was further strengthened by the creation of the subsidiary PT Naval Group Nusantara, established on July 1, 2025. This entity reinforces Naval Group’s role as a long-term strategic partner in the region.
A competitive environment and operational urgency
The launch of this ambitious local construction program comes amid a dynamic regional context. During the Indo Defense 2025 exhibition, it was revealed that China has offered Indonesia three Type 039A (Yuan-class) attack submarines, currently in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy. This offer is aimed at meeting urgent needs under the Interim Readiness Submarine Class (IRSC) program, an initiative designed to maintain the operational readiness of the submarine fleet while awaiting the arrival of the new Scorpène units.
The situation is pressing: Indonesia’s current fleet consists of four Nagapasa-class submarines, built with South Korean assistance, which are showing signs of obsolescence after years in service. Fleet renewal has become a priority in order to maintain deterrence and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Through the Scorpène Evolved project, Indonesia is aiming not only for an immediate improvement of its capabilities, but also to lay the foundations for an advanced, autonomous naval industry—capable of projecting power and technology in the decades to come.
*Images used for illustrative purposes only
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