Indonesia Enters Pre-Production Stage for Scorpene Evolved Submarine

Indonesia has officially entered the pre-production stage for the Scorpene Evolved-class submarine, a significant step forward in the country’s ambitions to become a self-reliant maritime defense power. The announcement came from state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia, which is leading the project in collaboration with France’s Naval Group.

A Strategic Leap for National Defense

PT PAL President Director Kaharuddin Djenod emphasized the geopolitical significance of the project. “Amid growing rivalry among major world powers in the ASEAN region, a strong defense industry gives Indonesia strategic leverage in maintaining regional stability while strengthening its position as a respected maritime nation,” he stated.

The pre-production stage encompasses a range of critical preparations, including:

• Design readiness — finalizing engineering specifications for the submarine platform
• Production systems — establishing manufacturing workflows and quality controls
• Human resource development — training engineers and technicians in advanced submarine construction
• Supporting infrastructure — upgrading facilities at PT PAL’s Surabaya shipyard

Technology Transfer at the Core

One of the most notable aspects of the program is the deep technology transfer (ToT) arrangement with Naval Group. Dozens of PT PAL engineers have been dispatched to Cherbourg, France, where they are participating in hands-on training programs alongside their French counterparts.

The goal is clear: Indonesia isn’t just buying submarines — it’s learning to build them. The collaboration is designed to ensure that PT PAL can independently produce and qualify future submarine hulls, starting with the first pilot hull subsection. Fabrication for the qualification section officially began on December 12, 2025, in Surabaya.

First in ASEAN with AIP Capability

Indonesia is set to become the first ASEAN nation with the capability to build submarines equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology. AIP allows diesel-electric submarines to operate underwater for significantly longer periods without surfacing — a game-changer for stealth operations and extended patrol missions.

The Scorpene Evolved platform represents the latest iteration of the proven Scorpène design, incorporating improvements in propulsion, sensors, and combat systems tailored to Indonesia’s operational requirements.

Why It Matters

Indonesia sits astride some of the world’s busiest sea lanes, including the Strait of Malacca and the Sunda Strait. Securing these waterways is not just a national priority — it has implications for global trade and regional stability.

The submarine program fits within President Prabowo Subianto’s broader defense modernization agenda, which aims to reduce reliance on foreign arms imports and develop a domestic defense industrial base capable of sustaining long-term operational readiness.

Vincent Vimont, Director of the SRI Naval Group Program, reinforced the partnership’s significance: “Collaboration with PT PAL is a key part of developing Indonesia’s national defense industry capabilities in a sustainable way.”

Looking Ahead

With pre-production now underway, the next major milestone will be the start of main production, where PT PAL will begin assembling the full submarine hull. If the program stays on track, Indonesia will join a small group of nations capable of independently constructing advanced conventional submarines — a powerful signal of the country’s growing industrial and strategic maturity.

For a nation of over 17,000 islands, maritime defense isn’t optional — it’s existential. The Scorpene Evolved program represents one of the most concrete steps Indonesia has taken to ensure it can protect its waters on its own terms.