Partnership to build variant of Scorpene-class submarine for Indonesian Navy

French defence manufacturer the Naval Group and Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PAL have entered into an agreement on the construction of a variant of the Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarine tailored to suit the needs of the Indonesian Navy.

The contract calls for the construction of two submarines at PAL’s facilities with the Naval Group providing technological assistance.

The submarines will be capable of both open-ocean and shallow-water operations. Missions will include anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, special operations support, and intelligence gathering.

Each submarine will have a surfaced displacement of between 1,600 and 2,000 tonnes, an LOA of 72 metres, space for 31 crewmembers, a maximum submerged speed of 20 knots, a maximum diving depth of 300 metres, and a maximum endurance of 80 days or 12 days while submerged. Armament will include torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

The submarines’ energy storage systems will be based on a full lithium-ion configuration that will satisfy high security and safety standards and allow a higher range of useful energy, a better indiscretion rate, and a reduced charging time. The Naval Group said that, thanks to this technology, high speed will be available no matter the state of charge, increasing each submarine’s tactical mobility.