PT PAL Indonesia has begun construction on the country’s first Scorpène submarine at its shipyard in Surabaya, marking a significant step in Indonesia’s effort to boost its domestic naval industry.
The steel-cutting ceremony took place on 7 August 2026, commencing the build phase of the Scorpène for the Republic of Indonesia (SRI) programme.
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The construction follows a March 2024 decision by Indonesian authorities to procure two Scorpène Evolved submarines, equipped with lithium-ion battery propulsion, through a contract jointly awarded to state-owned PT PAL and France’s Naval Group.
According to the companies, the Indonesian-built vessels are the result of a comprehensive industrial partnership and technology transfer designed to establish sustainable local expertise.
Under the agreement, PT PAL is tasked with the construction of the submarine hulls, equipment integration, assembly, and testing, as well as final delivery to the Indonesian Navy.
Naval Group, meanwhile, is supplying the design, providing engineering support, and stationing a permanent technical team in Surabaya to assist with the build.
Before work began, Indonesian engineers and technicians completed training and certification at Naval Group’s facilities in Cherbourg, France, in preparation for these responsibilities.
The SRI programme forms part of broader defence cooperation between Indonesia and France, established through an intergovernmental agreement signed in August 2021 and later formalised in a Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two companies in February 2022.
PT PAL announced that the domestic construction effort is expected to significantly boost Indonesia’s submarine manufacturing capabilities and facilitate local management, operation, and upkeep of the new vessels.
The company said this local capacity-building approach supports Indonesia’s drive for greater defence self-sufficiency and is anticipated to generate thousands of skilled jobs within the country’s shipbuilding sector.
At the time of contract signing, PT PAL president Director Dr. Kaharuddin Djenod said: “The start of this construction is a demonstration of the Indonesian government’s commitment and trust in the abilities of local engineers to advance defence technology. It is hoped that Indonesia will master submarine technology in the future.”
Each Scorpène Evolved submarine measures 72 metres in length, with a surfaced displacement of 1,600 to 2,000 tons.
They are equipped with lithium-ion batteries, providing enhanced submerged endurance of more than 12 days and the ability to sustain higher speeds underwater, according to Naval Group.
The vessels will incorporate the SUBTICS combat management system and feature six weapon tubes with a total payload capacity of 18 weapons. Operational availability at sea is planned to exceed 240 days per year.
Naval Group stated that, including the Indonesian contract, 14 Scorpène submarines have already been delivered or are under construction for navies in Chile, Malaysia, Brazil, and India.
