Indonesia signs contract with Naval Group for new Scorpene Evolved attack submarines

 

A CGI of the Scorpene Evolved submarine. Photo c/o Naval Group.

On 28 March 2024, Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL has signed a contract with French naval shipbuilder Naval Group for the Indonesia Navy’s (TNI-AL) new submarine construction program.

PT PAL has been selected by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to deliver two new diesel-electric submarines to the Indonesian Navy, and the company already have an existing Strategic Partnership Agreement with Naval Group since 2022.

With the contract signed, it signifies the selection of Naval Group’s Scorpene Evolved diesel-electric attack submarine design to be built by PT PAL in its submarine shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia, in close coordination with Naval Group.

The deal also involves transfer of technology and know-how to allow the local construction of the submarines, which is a major factor in the Indonesian Government’s policy of defense self-sufficiency under its Defend ID Program.

Naval Group’s Scorpene Evolved submarine is a variant of its proven Scorpene diesel-electric submarine designed for shallow-water operations, and will feature use of lithium-ion batteries instead of previous-generation lead acid batteries to generate more power and efficiency, resulting to longer submerged period, longer operating duration, high operational tempo, faster battery charging, less battery space requirements, reduced battery maintenance downtime, and longer battery life.

Indonesia will also use locally-manufactured subsystems, allowing for local content and participation of Indonesian enterprises in the submarines’ manufacturing and life cycle.

The final configuration of the Indonesian submarines are not yet made public although they are expected to have standard weaponry that includes 6 torpedo tubes for firing heavyweight torpedoes and mines, and will use the Naval Group SUBTICS combat management system.

Naval Group competed against other submarine builders including Hanwha Ocean of South Korea, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems of Germany, as well as offers from Turkey and Italy.

Indonesia currently has 4 active submarines, composed of three Nagapasa-class (Improved Chang Bogo-class/Type 209-1400) commissioned between 2017 and 2021, and a Cakra-class submarine (Type 209-1300) commissioned in 1981.

[1] Naval Group

[2] Naval News

[3] The Jakarta Post

Indonesia signs contract with Fincantieri for 2 new multipurpose offshore patrol vessels

 

The Italian Navy's Francesco Morosini (P431), a PPA in Light configuration. Photo c/o Decode39.

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has confirmed on 28 March 2024 that it signed a contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the delivery of two new Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) Thaon di Revel-class Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessels to the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL).

The contract worth €1.18 billion (US$1.27 billion) and involves two PPA ships already being constructed by Fincantieri’s Integrated Shipyard in Riva Trigoso-Muggiano in Italy for the Italian Navy.

This will allow Fincantieri to deliver the ships faster to the Indonesian Navy, with the consent of the Italian Navy and Italian Government.

Both ships would be diverted and fitted to the requirements of the Indonesian Navy, with Fincantieri acting as prime contractor which will coordinate with other industrial partners.

It is now yet clear though which of the ships will be diverted for Indonesia. There are currently three ships under construction for the Italian Navy that are scheduled for commissioning between October 2024 and August 2026.

This will depend on when the contract is finalized considering Indonesia’s unusual procurement process where signing a contract does not immediately constitute a confirmed sale. 

Funding is believed to be an issue as there have been previous reports of the Indonesian Government still trying to find ways to fund an earlier contract with Fincantieri for the supply and delivery of six FREMM-class large frigates and two refurbished Maestrale-class light frigates. 

It is still unclear if Indonesia will prioritize this new contract for two PPA ships, although this might depend on the availability of funding.

The base PPA offshore patrol vessel are 143 meters long, has a crew of 170 officers and sailors, and capable of speeds of more than 32 knots and powered in Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine (CODAG) configuration plus an electric propulsion system.

The Italian Navy has three configurations for their PPA ships with a varying degree of capability, although all have a common weapons configuration that includes an Oto Melara 127mm/64 Vulcano main gun, an Oto Melara 76mm/62 Strales secondary gun, and two Oto Melara RCWS with an Oerlikon KBA B06 25mm autocannon

The full configuration has allocation for two 8-cell DCNS SYLVER A50 VLS for 16 MBDA Aster 30 Block 1NT surface-to-air missiles, eight launchers for the MBDA Teseo MK2/E anti-ship missiles, and two triple WASS B515/3 torpedo launchers for the Black Arrow 324mm lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes.

The Indonesian Navy might opt to revise the configuration for their ships and not necessarily follow the configurations set for the Italian Navy, and could even re-categorize the ships as frigates considering its extensive anti-air and anti-submarine warfare potential that even exceeds comparatively-sized frigates in the Indo-Pacific region.

[1] Fincantieri

[2] Defense News

[3] Janes