PT PAL Begins Physical Construction of Two Scorpene Submarines
Indonesia has entered the physical construction phase for two Scorpene submarine units. This follows PT PAL Indonesia and the French defence company, Naval Group, initiating the first steel cutting process in July 2026.
This stage has commenced earlier than the original target, which was scheduled for September 2026. PT PAL Indonesia’s Production Director, Diana Rosa, stated that the acceleration of physical construction was achieved after PT PAL and Naval Group successfully completed the qualification section. This stage involves a verification process to ensure the readiness of human resources, manufacturing processes, production facilities, and quality control systems in accordance with world-class submarine construction standards.
“This programme is a long-term investment to enhance the competence of Indonesian engineers, strengthen the national industry, and build a high-tech manufacturing ecosystem capable of competing globally,” Diana said in a press release in Jakarta on Friday (3/7/2026).
According to her, the successful completion of this stage demonstrates that the technology transfer process has been effective. Furthermore, PT PAL has successfully enhanced the capabilities of Indonesian engineers in mastering high-precision manufacturing technology.
As part of this process, Diana noted that PT PAL has sent dozens of engineers to Naval Group’s facilities in France to undergo intensive training in various fields. These include welding, construction engineering, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and quality control. These competencies were subsequently applied directly during the execution of the qualification section, which was verified by the Naval Group team.
Naval Group Programme Director, Vincent Vimont, stated that the success of the qualification section stage demonstrates PT PAL’s readiness as a strategic partner in the construction of modern submarines. “This collaboration is not merely about building two submarine units, but about building a foundation for sustainable industrial capability,” said Vincent.