A recent report suggested that the first two Scorpene Evolved submarines for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), which will be constructed domestically by the state-owned company PT PAL Indonesia in East Java, will not have missile-launch capability from the outset. However, sources involved in the project have confirmed to Naval News that the report is not correct.
Speaking to Naval News, one industry source stated that the ability to launch the MBDA SM39 (the submarine-launched variant of the Exocet anti-ship missile) has been part of the program since day one. The source added that the capability is included in the original contract and is already a baseline feature of the Scorpène design offered worldwide.
Therefore, Indonesia’s first two Scorpène Evolved will not be built without missile integration/launch capability, as the submarines were always intended to have that capability from the outset.
Meanwhile, PT PAL CEO, Kaharuddin Djenod, told Naval News that the missile integration remarks refer to PT PAL’s target to take on a bigger role in future missile integration work, including securing related technology transfer that it could later apply to other programs, including the company’s autonomous submarine (KSOT) project.
Previous Naval News reporting already noted that Naval Group offered the Scorpene Evolved to Indonesia with full SM39 integration, as it aligns with one of the Indonesian Navy’s key requirements for its future submarine fleet.
Another source confirmed that Exocet SM39 submarine-launched anti-ship missiles by MBDA are part of the Scorpene Evolved contract inked between France and Indonesia.
