Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PAL and French defence manufacturer the Naval Group have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the aim of enhancing joint capabilities in fulfilling the needs of operators of naval vessels in potential domestic and foreign markets.
The partnership is based on a contract previously signed with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence for the construction of two examples of a variant of the Naval Group's Scorpene-class submarine fitted with lithium-ion batteries. The submarine will be fully manufactured at PAL's submarine assembly facilities in Surabaya.
Willgo Zainar, Chief Marketing Officer of PAL, said the collaboration will enable PAL to acquire expertise in the latest technology for manufacturing warships, thus making the company a strategic local partner for the Naval Group in Indonesia.
He added that, in the future, PAL will secure a full technology transfer for complete ship design with modern technology as well as digital frigate construction management. This will increase PAL's capabilities in building advanced frigates.