PT PAL Indonesia cuts steel for first Scorpène submarine

Published Aug 10, 04:05 PM UTC

On 7 August 2026, PT PAL Indonesia held a steel-cutting ceremony at its Surabaya shipyard, officially commencing construction of the country's first Scorpène Evolved submarine. This follows a March 2024 contract between PT PAL and France's Naval Group for two submarines equipped with lithium-ion batteries, enhancing submerged endurance beyond 12 days. The project is part of the Scorpène for the Republic of Indonesia (SRI) programme, supported by a 2021 intergovernmental agreement and a 2022 strategic partnership. PT PAL is responsible for hull construction, integration, and delivery, while Naval Group provides design, engineering support, and a permanent technical team in Surabaya. Indonesian engineers completed training in Cherbourg, France. The program aims to boost domestic submarine manufacturing, generate skilled jobs, and support Indonesia's defense self-sufficiency goals. Each submarine is 72 meters long, displaces 1,600-2,000 tons, and carries 18 weapons with the SUBTICS combat system.