Indonesian and French shipbuilders PT PAL and Naval Group have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the latter’s Cherbourg facility which specializes in submarine development and construction, PT PAL announced on 4 June.
The MoU was signed by PT PAL Chief Marketing Officer Willgo Zainar and Naval Group’s Vice President Sales and Business Development for Asia Pacific, Nicolas Hersart de la Villemarqué.
The latest milestone follows a Defence Cooperation Agreement signed between France and Indonesia in August 2021 and subsequent pact announced in April this year that calls for the joint production of two Scorpène Evolved full lithium-ion battery equipped submarines for the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL). The proposed submarines are expected to be constructed at PT PAL’s submarine facility in Surabaya.
“This collaboration will enable PT PAL Indonesia to gain expertise in modern and newest surface warship technology, thus making PT PAL a strategic local partner for the Naval Group in Indonesia,” said Willgo Zainar.
“In the future, PT PAL will receive full technology transfer for complete ship design with high and modern technology as well as digital frigate construction management,” he added. “This will increase PT PAL’s capability in building advanced frigates and competing in the global market.”
According to PT PAL, the MoU provisions for further industrial cooperation beyond submarine construction. A possible extension of this arrangement could include Naval Group’s Belh@rra/Frégate de Taille Intermédiaire frigate (FDI).
This strategic partnership is being seen as a step towards strengthening bilateral defence relations between Indonesia and France. Earlier in May, the French Navy’s Aquitaine-class FREMM frigate, FS Bretagne, made a port visit to Tanjung Priok Port in north Jakarta and hosted Indonesian defence officials, industrialists, journalists, and other key stakeholders.
“This agreement not only increases our technical capabilities but also strengthens our position in the global defence market,” said Willgo. “We are very excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring in terms of technological advancement and market reach.”
by Jr Ng
