RRI.CO.ID. Jakarta - Surabaya will take center stage in maritime history on Friday, August 7, 2026. At the PT PAL shipyard, the first steel-cutting ceremony for the Scorpène Evolved-class submarine will be held. The event will be led by Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Mohammad Ali, and attended by representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, the French Embassy, Timor-Leste, ASEAN, and key industry partners.

The red-and-white Indonesian flag and the French Tricolor will fly side by side, marking the start of a new chapter in defense cooperation.

The Scorpène Evolved is not an ordinary submarine. Designed with stealth technology, advanced sensors, and full weapon capabilities, it offers extended operational endurance thanks to its latest-generation lithium-ion batteries. Its ability to avoid detection makes it a strategic asset for the Indonesian Navy in safeguarding the nation’s vast maritime territory.

Building the submarine in Surabaya signals Indonesia’s commitment to not just acquire defense equipment, but to produce it domestically.

This milestone stems from a contract that came into effect on July 23, 2025, between the Government of Indonesia and Naval Group of France. The agreement covers the procurement of two Scorpène Evolved submarines to be built entirely in Surabaya through technology transfer and local production.

Indonesian engineers, after intensive training in France, are now leading the construction process at PT PAL. This is a concrete step toward achieving self-reliance in Indonesia’s defense industry.

The plan goes beyond these two submarines. Indonesia and France aim to build a sustainable submarine industry ecosystem.

PT PAL’s facilities will be upgraded for maintenance, repair, and future module production. A joint training center for submarine technicians will also be established in Surabaya with a curriculum developed alongside Naval Group, ensuring a continuous pipeline of Indonesian experts.

The target is clear: by 2030, Indonesia should be able to conduct major overhauls independently, reducing reliance on foreign support.

Political commitment at the highest level further strengthens this partnership. During President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Paris on May 28, 2026, President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed that strengthening the sovereignty of both France and Indonesia is at the heart of their bilateral partnership.

At that meeting, both leaders agreed to elevate relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This means cooperation will expand beyond defense to include industry, technology, and maritime security across the Indo-Pacific region.

The first steel-cutting in Surabaya is more than a ceremony. It is a symbol of “a thousand doors” of new opportunity. From Lawang Sewu in Semarang, a bridge of culture, to the shipyards of Surabaya, a gateway to maritime sovereignty, Indonesia and France are building trust in both steel and spirit. With a solid contract foundation and a clear long-term roadmap, this alliance aims to position the Indonesian Navy as a respected force in the region and Indonesia as a sovereign, capable maritime power.

Source : PR- Ambassade de France