SURABAYA, Indonesia, June 23, 2026 — Indonesia's first two domestically built Scorpène Evolved submarines will enter service with full anti-ship missile launch capability, officials and industry sources have confirmed, dismissing recent reports that suggested the vessels would initially be delivered without missile integration.
The clarification comes as Indonesia advances construction of the two diesel-electric attack submarines under a $2.16 billion program being executed by state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia in partnership with France's Naval Group.
Missile Capability Included From the Start
According to sources involved in the program, integration of the MBDA SM39 Exocet submarine-launched anti-ship missile has been a core requirement since the project's inception and was explicitly included in the original contract signed between Indonesia and Naval Group.
Recent speculation regarding the submarines' weapons configuration prompted concerns that missile-launch capability would be added at a later stage. However, officials familiar with the project stated that the SM39 Exocet capability remains part of the baseline design and will be available when the submarines enter operational service with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).
The clarification follows comments by PT PAL President Director Dr. Kaharuddin Djenod regarding future missile integration efforts. He explained that those remarks referred to the company's broader objective of acquiring advanced systems integration expertise through technology transfer arrangements rather than any delay in missile integration for the Scorpène Evolved program.
PT PAL aims to leverage this knowledge for future naval projects, including Indonesia's indigenous autonomous submarine program, known as KSOT.
Domestic Construction and Technology Transfer
The Scorpène Evolved program represents a major step forward for Indonesia's defense industry. Through a comprehensive transfer of technology agreement with Naval Group, Indonesia is set to become the first ASEAN nation capable of building advanced submarines domestically.
The submarines will be constructed entirely at PT PAL's shipyard in Surabaya, East Java, by Indonesian engineers and technicians. The contract was signed in 2024 and officially entered into force in July 2025, with pre-production activities and steel-cutting qualification milestones already completed.
The program includes extensive workforce development initiatives, with more than 400 Indonesian engineers and technicians receiving training and technical support from approximately 50 Naval Group specialists.
Indonesia's Ministry of Defense has also mandated full local production, ensuring national control over maintenance, repair, overhaul, sustainment, and future upgrades throughout the submarines' operational life.
Advanced Design and Combat Systems
The Indonesian Scorpène Evolved submarines incorporate Naval Group's latest Full Lithium-Ion Battery (LiB) propulsion technology, offering significant improvements in endurance and operational flexibility.
Unlike conventional submarines that rely on Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, the lithium-ion battery configuration provides extended underwater endurance while reducing logistical and maintenance requirements. The submarines are expected to remain operational for up to 80 days and achieve a range exceeding 8,000 nautical miles.
Each submarine measures approximately 71 to 72 meters in length and is designed to operate with a crew of around 31 personnel.
The vessels are equipped with six 533 mm torpedo tubes and can carry a total weapons load of up to 18 munitions. Alongside the SM39 Exocet anti-ship missile, the submarines will be capable of deploying heavyweight torpedoes, including Naval Group's F21 torpedo.
The design also provides growth potential for future payload integration, including unmanned underwater vehicles and additional mission systems as operational requirements evolve.
Strengthening Indonesia's Undersea Deterrence
Designed for both deep-ocean operations and shallow-water missions, the Scorpène Evolved submarines are optimized for Indonesia's vast archipelagic environment. Their capabilities are expected to enhance the Indonesian Navy's ability to conduct maritime surveillance, sea-denial operations, and territorial defense across strategically important waterways.
The acquisition forms part of Indonesia's broader naval modernization efforts and is expected to significantly strengthen the country's underwater warfare capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
With missile-launch capability included from the outset and domestic construction progressing under a comprehensive technology transfer framework, the Scorpène Evolved program is set to become a cornerstone of Indonesia's future submarine fleet while expanding the nation's indigenous defense industrial base.
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