Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL has entered the pre-production phase for the Scorpene-class diesel-electric attack submarines planned for the Indonesian Navy.
The move is part of a 2024 program aimed at domestically producing two advanced submarines to strengthen Jakarta’s maritime defense modernization efforts.
According to PT PAL, the current stage focuses on completing detailed designs, preparing production systems, upgrading infrastructure, and training personnel ahead of full-scale manufacturing.
The submarines will be based on an enhanced version of the French-designed Scorpene platform developed by Naval Group, featuring full lithium-ion battery technology instead of conventional lead-acid batteries.
The lithium-ion configuration removes the need for an air-independent propulsion system while improving underwater endurance, maneuverability, and operational performance.
PT PAL President Director Kaharuddin Djenod described the program as a significant milestone for Indonesia’s defense industry.
“Indonesia is recorded as the first country in ASEAN to build its own submarines,” he said, noting that the initiative demonstrates the country’s increasing capability to manage advanced shipbuilding technologies, including lithium-ion propulsion systems.
As part of the Scorpene program, PT PAL engineers are also undergoing training with Naval Group in Cherbourg, France, where Indonesian teams are being prepared to construct and certify critical submarine hull sections domestically.
