Indonesia has ordered two Scorpène submarines from the French Naval Group, the naval defense manufacturer announced in a press release on Tuesday. These submersibles will be built in Indonesia “thanks to a transfer of know-how and technology from Naval Group”, comparable to the Indian and Brazilian contracts.
What is this submarine?
Capable of diving to more than 300 m, the Scorpène Evolved supplied to Indonesia will be conventionally powered by diesel-electric propulsion and equipped with lithium-ion batteries.
These allow a diving autonomy of more than 12 days and can quickly recharge during periscopic immersion thanks to a schnorchel, a tube piercing the surface allowing the diesel engine to operate, according to a source within Naval Group.
With a length of 72 m, they will carry a crew of 31 sailors and 18 torpedoes and missiles. The Naval Group claims availability at sea of more than 240 days per year for the recent Indonesian acquisition.
Operating both on the high seas and in shallow waters, the Naval Group's conventional submarine's mission is to "fight against surface ships and submarines, collect intelligence or special operations" says the French group.
Which countries have already ordered them?
This contract with Indonesia is based on a defense cooperation agreement between Paris and Jakarta concluded in August 2021 during which Indonesia also announced the acquisition of 42 Rafale combat aircraft. Indonesia has increased its operations with French defense manufacturers in recent years.
14 units of the Scorpène have already been sold to Brazil (4 submarines), Chile (2), Malaysia (2) and India (6). The first purchases of these models date back to 1997 during a first contract with Chile. Then, more recently, with Brazil, whose last submarine is due to be launched in 2025.
What are the other partnerships?
This order confirms a promising start to the year for Naval Group, which won the Dutch call for tenders in mid-March for the construction of four Barracuda class submarines.
India and France have had a strategic partnership since 1998 illustrated by the purchase of 6 Scorpène submarines in 2005 for an amount of 2.4 billion euros.
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During the last visit of the French presidency to Brazil, the defense file was put on the table. A Scorpène submarine called Tonelero gave rise to a ceremony attended by Presidents Macron and Lula at the Itaguaí shipyard, south of Rio de Janeiro. This delivery to the Brazilian Navy is part of an unprecedented strategic partnership between Paris and Brasilia, which should lead to the construction by Brazil of its first nuclear-powered submarine.
With its 8,500 km of coastline, Brazil intends to ensure the security of what it calls the “Blue Amazon”, its immense exclusive economic zone through which more than 95% of its foreign trade passes and from which it is extracted. about 95% of its oil.