Admiral Yudho Margono, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), stated to local media KOMPAS that the Scorpene submarines proposed by French shipbuilder Naval Group met the requirements to operate in Indonesian waters, and thus the Indonesian Navy has agreed to the Indonesia MoD’s plan to procure the submarines.
The admiral also indicated that the Indonesian Navy initially desired to procure submarines with a gross tonnage of more than 1,300 gross tons (GT). Meanwhile, the Indonesian Navy and the Ministry of Defense have determined that the Scorpene meets the required standards.
The statements were made shortly after a high level visit of the Republic of Korea Navy’s CNO who was supporting a second batch submarines contract from South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME). Contacted by Naval News, a Naval Group spokesperson said he had no comments to make about the media reports.
Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL issued in early February a request for information (RFI) “to propose to provide Ship Lift – Design & Build Scheme solution(s)”. The documentation contained the aim of this ship lift will be to support PT PAL’s future submarine production activities.
Two weeks later, Naval Group and PT Pal signed a Memorandum of Understanding seeking to leverage the capabilities of both partners to meet the growing requirements of the Indonesian Navy. The signing came a visit by Naval Group’s CEO to the local shipyard PT PAL Indonesia.
The MoU covers the purchase of two Scorpene-type submarines along with support, weapons, and training.
About Scorpene type submarine
Scorpène® is a conventional submarine designed by the Naval Group for the export market. It demonstrates both the Naval Group’s ability to deliver best-in-class submarines and to conduct successful transfers of technology. Today 14 Scorpène® submarines are in operational service or being built, for the Chilean Navy (2 units), the Malaysian Navy (2 units), the Indian Navy (6 units) and the Brazilian Navy (4 units).
The Scorpène® design is adapted to fit each navy’s specific requirements. Thus, the Brazilian Scorpène® will be slightly longer to carry a larger crew, almost double the patrol range, and be able to cover greater distances.
Scorpène® is ideally suited for action and operational effectiveness. Robust and enduring, it’s an ocean-going submarine also designed for shallow waters operations. Multipurpose, it fulfills the entire scope of missions such as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, special operations, offensive minelaying, and intelligence gathering. Integrating improvements from the French Barracuda-Class fast-attack submarine, Scorpène® has cutting-edge capabilities.
