WorldTekhno.com – France and Indonesia are working together to build two Scorpene-class submarines at PT PAL Indonesia. This collaboration was agreed in February 2022 and inaugurated by President Joko Widodo and President Emmanuel Macron in November 2022.
The Scorpene-class submarine is a conventional attack submarine produced by Naval Group, a French defence company. This submarine is 73 metres long, 8.3 metres wide and displaces 1,900 tonnes. This submarine can carry a crew of 35 and is equipped with a variety of weapons, including torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and anti-aircraft missiles.
This cooperation is part of Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen its defence. Indonesia has vast territorial waters and faces a variety of threats, including terrorism and fishing. The Scorpene-class submarine is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s ability to maintain its territorial sovereignty.
The following is a timeline of the French-Indonesian submarine collaboration:
○ February 2022: PT PAL Indonesia and Naval Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in submarine construction.
○ November 2022: President Joko Widodo and President Emmanuel Macron inaugurate the submarine cooperation in Jakarta.
○ December 2022: PT PAL Indonesia and Naval Group sign a cooperation contract for submarine construction.
○ 2023: Submarine construction begins at PT PAL Indonesia.
○ 2025: The first submarine is expected to be completed and launched.
The construction of this submarine is estimated to take about 3 years. The first submarine is expected to be completed and launched in 2025.
The specifications of the Scorpene submarine include:
- Length: 73 metres
- Width: 8.3 metres
- Weight: 1,900 tonnes
- Speed: 20 knots (37 kilometres/hour) underwater, 12 knots (22 kilometres/hour) on the surface
- Diving depth: 350 metres
- Crew: 35 persons
- Weapons: Torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, anti-aircraft missiles.
Scorpene submarines are also equipped with a variety of advanced equipment, including:
- Active and passive sonar systems.
- Satellite navigation and communications systems.
- Integrated battle system
- Anti-ship and anti-submarine torpedo systems.
- Anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems.
The Scorpene submarine is one of the most advanced conventional diesel-electric submarines in the world. This submarine has been used by several countries, including France, Brazil, Chile, India, Malaysia and Portugal.
Here are some of the advantages of the Scorpene submarine:
It has good stealth capabilities, making it difficult for enemies to detect.
It has high speed underwater.
Has the ability to dive deep.
Equipped with various advanced weapons and equipment.
The Scorpene submarine is one of the Indonesian Navy’s strategic assets that is important for maintaining Indonesia’s territorial sovereignty.***
