Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a leading Indian defence shipyard, has expressed strong interest in collaborating with PT PAL Indonesia on its upcoming production of Scorpène-class submarines.
This development coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia, further emphasized by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's presence as the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations in 2025.
MDL's experience in constructing six Kalvari-class submarines, the Indian variant of the Scorpène-class, under a technology transfer agreement with France's Naval Group, positions it as a valuable partner.
This undertaking has significantly enhanced India's naval capabilities and provided crucial knowledge in local production, indigenization, and integrating foreign technologies into national defence projects.
The Indian defence sector views this as an opportunity to share its expertise with Indonesia, which is embarking on a similar path to bolster its naval strength.
PT PAL, Indonesia's state-owned shipbuilder, has been selected by Naval Group for the construction of these submarines, aiming to enhance Indonesia's maritime defence capabilities and self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
This potential collaboration offers mutual benefits. For MDL, it presents a chance to expand its international presence, share technological expertise, and potentially secure contracts for components or subsystems.
Indonesia, on the other hand, could gain from India's experience in submarine construction, potentially streamlining its production process and accelerating its learning curve.
This collaboration aligns with the broader strengthening defence partnership between India and Indonesia. President Subianto's visit for the Republic Day celebrations underscores the deepening ties, facilitating high-level defence dialogues and potential cooperation agreements. The timing is particularly significant as both nations commemorate their long-standing diplomatic relationship with a focus on future collaborations.
The Scorpène project could become a cornerstone of this partnership, enabling both countries to collaborate closely on defence technology, an increasingly crucial aspect of international relations in the Indo-Pacific region.
India's 'Make in India' initiative and Indonesia's 'Made in Indonesia' initiative share common goals of self-reliance and indigenous defence capability development, making this collaboration strategically aligned.
Furthermore, this joint venture in submarine production with shared technology could pave the way for collaborations in other defence sectors, such as naval ships and aerospace, fostering a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Given the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, both nations have expressed interest in enhancing maritime security cooperation.
