Power play – what factors influence a navy’s choice of submarine propulsion?
With winning submarine bids announced in Indonesia and the Netherlands, 2024 has started well for French shipbuilder Naval Group. Here is how the two offerings differ and why.
In early April, Indonesia announced that it had ordered two Scorpène-class submarines from Naval Group. These boats will feature the company’s new lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries... Continues below
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Above: Indonesia’s two Scorpènes will feature Li-ion battery propulsion, a technology offering numerous advantages for typical long-distance submarine missions in Asia-Pacific. (Image: Naval Group)
Indonesia’s choice of power supply is not very surprising, and very much in line with trends in the region. Japan currently operates several submarines featuring this technology: two Soryu-class SSKs – Ōryū and Tōryū – that inaugurated the technology and helped perfect it, and three Taigei-class submarines – Taigei, Hakugei and Jingei, commissioned this past March.
Similarly, the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) has recently started construction of the third and final KSS-III Batch II submarine, which will also feature Li-ion batteries.
This new technology – new in the sense that it is now being fitted on submarines – provides navies with far more endurance and better performance, including greater stealth as well as higher sprints and cruise speeds, faster recharge times, and higher energy density.
Schiebel – leading the unmanned evolution
All these advantages are useful in the complex regional context in which Asia-Pacific navies operate, with most of them projecting a long way from their home bases.
What is perhaps surprising is that Indonesia chose Naval Group, whose Li-ion technology has not yet been operationally proven, over South Korea’s more mature offering. Considering the potential dangers of the technology, this could be a risky move.
But France and Indonesia have a close industrial relationship and there is no doubt they trust each other. By contrast, Indonesia has reportedly been unhappy with the three Jang Bogo-class submarines it received from South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering between 2011 and 2019.
Back in Europe, in mid-March, the Royal Netherlands Navy announced it had selected a design based on Naval Group’s Barracuda to replace its four ageing Walrus-class SSKs. Interestingly, the Dutch did not opt for Li-ion batteries.
This is very likely due to intended mission profiles. Indeed, the Dutch navy is not known to force-project very far, so diesel-electric propulsion – which requires occasional resurfacing to recharge the battery, providing less range and stealth – is likely the most cost-efficient option for its needs.
What will be interesting, nevertheless, is to see whether these submarines, in their long life ahead, will eventually need to be fitted with a different propulsion type, whether Li-Ion or something else. Because while these relatively new technologies are still expensive, costs are likely to decrease as they mature.
In that event, will the Netherlands seek to adapt its submarines to be much quieter, and if so, does the future class from Naval Group have room for growth?
This of course also depends on whether Naval Group keeps the contract after losing bidder TKMS filed a legal protest in a Dutch court. Regardless, the Walrus-class replacement will not feature Li-ion, at least not to begin with.
Other articles in this newsletter:
AUKUS – why the alliance won't be accepting new members any time soon
Stormy seas – the impact of bad weather on autonomous USV navigation
Ticking all the boxes – why Peru picked HHI for naval modernisation
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