Indonesia Set to Build Scorpène Evolved Submarines Locally in Major Naval Milestone

Indonesia is taking a major step toward strengthening its domestic naval industry, with plans to become the first ASEAN country to build Scorpène Evolved submarines locally. The submarines will be produced in Indonesia with technology transfer from French naval defence company Naval Group, giving the country greater access to advanced submarine-building expertise and technology.

The move is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s maritime sovereignty while expanding the capabilities of its naval forces. The Scorpène Evolved is designed to offer improvements in areas including endurance, stealth and combat capability. These features are intended to allow the submarine to operate for extended periods while remaining difficult to detect.

For Indonesia, developing the ability to construct such submarines domestically is about more than acquiring new military equipment. It also represents an opportunity to build local expertise, develop its defence-industrial base and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for future naval projects.

The technology-transfer arrangement with Naval Group is particularly significant. Local construction means Indonesian engineers and shipbuilders can gain experience in advanced submarine production while strengthening the country’s ability to maintain and support the vessels.

Indonesia’s location, surrounded by major waterways and strategically important maritime routes, makes submarine capabilities an important part of its broader defence strategy.

The domestic construction of the Scorpène Evolved submarines could mark an important milestone for Indonesia’s ambitions to develop a more self-reliant defence industry. If the programme progresses as planned, Indonesia would not only operate advanced submarines but also gain valuable experience in building them at home.

The development could therefore have long-term implications for Indonesia’s naval capabilities and its position as a major maritime power in Southeast Asia.