France Eyes Indonesian Submarine Expansion

02 November 2018

Scorpene 2000 Submarine with Cruise Missile and AIP technology (photo : Navy Recognition)

Indonesia has its sights set on the acquisition of additional attack submarines beyond the three Nagapasa-class boats that are currently being delivered.

One company that is looking to fulfil this requirement is France's Naval Group which will be present at Indo Defence 2018 to promote its Scorpene submarine.

In 2011 the Indonesian Navy selected the three Chang Bogo class, known as the Nagapasa-class in Indonesia, which is based on the German Type 209 hull design and built under license in the Republic of Korea by DSME.

While no formal decision has been made it is understood that a targeted fleet of ten to 12 submarines is desired by the Indonesian Navy. Currently, it has four submarines in its fleet and one Nagapasa-class still to be delivered.

‘Naval Group, as a recognised naval platform designer and manufacturer together with its unique experience of Transfer of Technology in export programme, is ready to offer the Scorpene class submarine together with adapted Transfer of Technology in accordance with the New Defence Bill issued by the Indonesian government,’ said a Naval Group spokesperson.

MBDA's Naval Cruise Missile scale model (photo : Navy Recognition)

   
The company is also looking at the potential of building in-country and said that its main industrial partner will be the state-owned shipyard PT PAL.

Members of the PINHANTANAS (Private Defence Industry Association) could be suitable industrial partner the spokesperson said.

‘The operational requirements of the Indonesian Navy tend to be oceanic with shallow waters capabilities. Our Scorpene-class submarine offers unmatched capabilities in both oceanic and shallow water,’ he added.

While the company has not built the latest batch of submarines for the South East Asian nation the company is well implemented in the region with the active P-75 programme in India. This will provided six Scorpene diesel-electric submarines to the Indian Navy. 

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems TKMS, the design owner of the Type 209 which it acquired after the merger of TKMS and Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, is also set to be at Indo Defence and will likely be vying for the same opportunities as Naval Group.

(Shephard)