KSAL Agrees With The Ministry Of Defense's Plan To Purchase Scorpene Submarines

Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Yudo Margono while giving a press statement after the 2022 Navy Rapim, at Cilangkap Headquarters, East Jakarta, Wednesday (2/3/2022). ANTARA/HO-Dispenal

JAKARTA - The Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Yudo Margono approved the Ministry of Defense's plan to buy two Scorpene submarines from France.

"Yesterday, we checked the Scorpene Submarine. If it meets the requirements, we agree," said Yudo on the sidelines of the Indonesian Navy's Rapim, at Cilangkap Headquarters, East Jakarta, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, March 2.

According to him, the Scorpene Submarine meets the requirements to be able to operate with the characteristics of Indonesian waters.

The former Pangkogabwilhan I stated that the Indonesian Navy was indeed willing to purchase submarines above 1,300 gross tonnage (GT).

"This Scorpene is more than 1,300 GT, of course, it meets the requirements for our waters, as we have now, it's 1,400 GT. I think with the characteristics or technical specifications (spectek) such as with the geographical conditions of our sea, I think it meets the requirements for that , said Judo.

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto previously planned to buy two French-made Scorpene submarines.

This purchase plan is part of the cooperation in research and development on submarines that was signed between PT PAL Indonesia and the NAVAL Group from France in Jakarta, Thursday, February 10.

Prabowo said the research and development cooperation on submarines would lead to the purchase of two Scorpene submarines with AIP technology and complete with weapons.

In addition, as a form of implementing mastery of technology, the entire construction of the Scorpene type submarine is carried out at PAL and optimizes the capabilities of PAL's human resources with assistance from the Naval Group.

The collaboration between PAL and the Naval Group is a form of realization of the defense equipment modernization program carried out by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense in an effort to strengthen the defense capabilities of the TNI for the next 20 years through the fulfillment of the defense fleet, especially the Navy (AL).