Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PAL has begun construction of a new diesel-electric submarine to be operated by the Indonesian Navy.
The submarine is the first of two that will be variants of the Scorpene-class boats originally developed by French defence shipbuilder the Naval Group. The submarines will belong to what the Naval Group calls the "Scorpene Evolved" class and will be built within PAL's facilities.
"Thanks to a transfer of technology, the management, operation and maintenance of the force will be conducted in Indonesia, by Indonesian actors, ensuring both Indonesian sovereignty and the creation of thousands of long-term high skills jobs," the Naval Group had said in an earlier press release.
The Scorpene Evolved submarines will have reduced acoustic signatures and will be fitted with lithium-ion batteries promising a maximum submerged endurance of 80 days.
Indonesia also has the option to have the boats fitted with air-independent propulsion systems after these have already entered service.
