Indonesia and France Work Together on Building New Submarines
On September 11, 2024, officials from Indonesia and France, along with industry experts, gathered in Central Jakarta. They discussed the construction of two new Scorpène Evolved submarines, which the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) will operate. This meeting was a key step in the plan to build these submarines in Indonesia.
The event, called a Focus Group Discussion (FGD), covered many important topics. These included the construction schedule, training for the Navy, weapons needed for the submarines, and upgrades to the facilities that will support them.
Building the Submarines in Indonesia
France’s Naval Group will work closely with Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder, PT PAL Indonesia, which is based in Surabaya, East Java. Naval Group promised to provide full technical help to PT PAL as they build the submarines. Both companies are also discussing setting up a project management office to help with decisions and make sure the construction goes smoothly.
An interesting detail is that the construction of the second submarine will begin before the first one is finished. This way, the work will move faster, with both submarines being built at the same time but finishing at different dates.
There’s also talk about upgrading Indonesia’s three older submarines that were built in South Korea. This could be part of a bigger plan to strengthen Indonesia’s submarine fleet.
Training the Crew for the New Submarines
Training for the crew of these advanced submarines is another important part of the plan. The first group of submarine crew members will be trained in France, but later, more training will take place in Indonesia. The discussion also included plans to build training simulators and other facilities in Indonesia to help with this process.
Weapons for the Submarines
The Indonesian Navy plans to equip these submarines with powerful weapons like the Black Shark and F21 torpedoes, along with Exocet SM39 submarine-launched cruise missiles. These weapons will be ordered before the submarines are delivered, so they are ready for combat as soon as the submarines enter service.
Upgrading Infrastructure
The construction and operation of these submarines require special facilities. Naval Group, PT PAL, and the Indonesian Navy are discussing how to improve these facilities. These upgrades will help maintain the submarines, especially because they will have advanced technology like full Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs).
Geopolitical Concerns
Admiral Muhammad Ali, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, spoke during the meeting. He emphasized that modernizing Indonesia’s submarine fleet is critical because of the complex global security situation. He also mentioned that the Indonesian Navy’s goal is to operate at least 12 submarines in the future.
Admiral Ali said that modernizing the fleet must include more than just new submarines. It should also focus on improving human resources, organizational structures, and supporting facilities. He also noted that the Navy’s older submarines need upgrades to keep up with modern technology.
Interim Submarines
While waiting for the Scorpène Evolved submarines to be built, Indonesia is looking for interim submarines. These are submarines that can be delivered and used while the new ones are being constructed. Countries like Italy, Germany, China, and Turkey have offered submarines to Indonesia. However, the plan for interim submarines hasn’t been approved yet. One reason might be that other military projects, like new frigates from Italy, are currently a higher priority.
