KSAL Calls Purchase Of Submarines From France As Needed

Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali/ANTARA/Genta Tenri Mawangi

JAKARTA - The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL) Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali said that the purchase of two Scorpène Evolved submarines by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense from the French company Naval Group was in accordance with the needs of the Indonesian Navy.

TNI Admiral Muhammad Ali said that the Naval Group had several meetings with the Indonesian Navy to convince the submarines purchased by the Indonesian government for them to be the newest generation submarine, aka the best ship made by Naval Group today.

"Yes, it is in accordance with needs. So, we have had several meetings with the Naval Group, with the French side yes, and they provide convenience and ensure that the ship produced is a sophisticated ship. So, the Scorp\'ee is not an ordinary Scorpe, but an Evolved, this is the latest generation from Scorp\'ee, "said Admiral Ali as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, April 5.

KSAL hopes that the submarine will be produced soon so that it can strengthen the Indonesian Navy fleet.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) has officially announced the purchase of 2 Scorpéneek Evolved submarines from the French company Naval Group, which will all be produced at the PT PAL Indonesia shipyard in Surabaya, East Java.

Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Secretariat General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General TNI Edwin Adrian Sumantha, when contacted in Jakarta, Thursday (4/4), explained that the Indonesian Ministry of Defense signed a purchase contract for 2 units of Scorpenewel Evolved at the Ministry of Defense Office, Jakarta, on March 28, 2024.

"The contract for the procurement of submarine classes 1800 (2800 tonnage with Advanced and Improved Propulsion (AIP) was signed by representatives of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense together with representatives of Naval Group from France and PT PAL Indonesia," said Edwin.

The purchase contract includes the procurement of 2 Scorpéne Submarine units including the Evolvedfulllithium-ion battery (LiB), a simulator for training, training for crew members, instructors, and operators. integrated logistics support, and materials for three missions or for 1 year.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Naval Group, and PT PAL have agreed that the production of the 2 submarines is entirely carried out in Surabaya, which is one of the technology transfer cooperation (ToT/offset) from the purchase of the Naval Group submarine.

PT PAL Indonesia and Naval Group on December 12, 2023 have signed a joint operation agreement on December 12, 2023, and a strategic partnership agreement (SPA) in February 2022.

Scorpène Total Evolved is one of the latest submarines with the latest technology that uses light lithium-ion batteries and high energy density so that submarines can operate longer without the need to recharge/fuel. The submarine also has stealth capabilities (sealth) aka not caught in the radar of other ships while operating under water level.

Naval Group in its official broadcast called Scorpènewas Evolved a versatile submarine that can carry out various operations such as surface anti-ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare, special operations, and underwater intelligence operations.

Scorp\'eine! It is also equipped with the latest generation of SUBTICS fighter systems, which are able to answer various needs for shallow sea and deep sea operations.

Scorpèneek Evolved specifications that will strengthen the Indonesian Navy, among others, the length of 72 meters, the speed of sailing while diving a maximum of 20 knots, diving ability up to 300 meters, maximum diving ability 80 days, total capacity 31 crew members, operating capability in the sea 240 days per year.

The submarine is also equipped with six weapons launcher tubes, and 18 missile and torpedo-type weapons can be installed.

The Indonesian Navy is currently reinforced by four submarines, namely KRI Cakra-401, KRI Nagapasa-403, KRI Ardadedali-404, and KRI Alugoro-405. In the projection of the strength posture of the Indonesian Navy 2025 2045, the Indonesian Navy is targeted to be strengthened by 12 submarines.