Submarines for Indonesia: shopping tour in Paris

This purchase had also been in the pipeline for some time: at the end of March, Jakarta ordered two submarines of the "Scorpène Evolved" type from the Naval Group and its local shipbuilding partner PT PAL. which will be offered exclusively for export. After the somewhat larger boats of the Brazilian Riachuelo class, these would be the first ever models of the newer boat type to actually be built! It is not yet clear which model the island state has chosen, which comes in variants of 60 to 76 metres in length and 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes displacement (submerged). After the first two boats, there is still an option for four more to ensure that the technology transfer to Jakarta is really worthwhile. In any case, PT PAL is an experienced shipyard that has built all of Indonesia's larger units as well as the South Korean-licensed Nagapasa-class submarines (type 209/1400). In contrast to the previous 14 Scorpènes in four navies (India, Brazil, Malaysia and Chile), the Evolved Full LIB type is to have a propulsion system based on the lithium-ion batteries developed by Naval Group with diving times of up to 78 days (Naval Group data). This should ensure 240 days of material availability of the boats per year. The six torpedo tubes will be able to deploy 18 torpedoes, sea target missiles and cruise missiles. Certainly a gain in the disputed region of the South China Sea. In any case, the French defence industry is boasting huge successes - no wonder, with purchase programmes for 55 self-propelled Caesar 155mm cannons (army) and 42 Rafale fighter jets (air force) running simultaneously with Indonesia. In this light, it is therefore not "dishonourable" that a German and a Korean bid did not win this submarine deal. However, it is no secret that a shopping spree in Paris is always more expensive than a single - albeit contractual - price tag can ever show!