Naval Systems

Scorpene-class submarine

Also known as
  • Scorpene
  • Scorpene 2000
  • Scorpene Evolved
  • Scorpene Evolved Full LiB
  • Kalvari-class submarine
  • Project 75
  • P75 Scorpene
  • Perdana Menteri-class submarine
  • Riachuelo-class submarine
  • S-BR

The Scorpene-class submarine is a Naval Group conventional attack-submarine family adapted for Chile, Malaysia, India, Brazil, and Indonesia. It remains a relationship-only catalog entry because the strongest public sources support export service, local construction, trials, and carried weapons rather than direct Scorpene combat use in a named armed conflict.

Scorpene-class submarine, Diesel-electric attack submarine, Naval Systems
Image source: Chilean Submarine Scorpene Class Wikimedia Commons
Profile / Specs

Specifications

Platform class
Conventional attack submarine family
Mission set
Anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, special operations, intelligence gathering, and minelaying
Scorpene Evolved displacement
1,600-2,000 tonnes surfaced
Scorpene Evolved length
72 m overall
Diving depth
More than 300 m on Scorpene Evolved
Weapon tubes
6 weapon launching tubes
Weapon payload
18 torpedoes or missiles on Scorpene Evolved
Submerged speed
More than 20 knots on Scorpene Evolved
Crew
31 on Scorpene Evolved
Brazilian S-BR displacement
About 2,000 tonnes submerged in Naval News reporting
Combat system
SUBTICS combat management system
Variants

Public sources use national class names for Scorpene-derived boats because the family is adapted for customer requirements, local construction, and different weapons fits.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Chilean ScorpeneTwo-boat Chilean Navy class

Naval Group records Chile's 1997 order, 2005 delivery of General O'Higgins, 2006 delivery and commissioning of General Carrera, and continuing basing at Talcahuano.

Sources: Silent sovereignty: Chile Scorpene submarines

Perdana Menteri classMalaysian Scorpene derivative

The Malaysian pair is represented here through sourced Scorpene exercise and SM39 firing context rather than a separate public weapon record.

Sources: Malaysia fires live torpedo from Scorpene submarine for the first time

Kalvari class / Project 75Indian Scorpene derivative

Indian government releases describe six Scorpene submarines built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders under collaboration with Naval Group, with INS Vaghsheer commissioned as the sixth P75 submarine in January 2025.

Sources: Commissioning of fifth Kalvari class submarine Vagir, INS Vaghsheer commissioning, Curtain Raiser: Kalvari to be Commissioned Tomorrow at Mumbai

Riachuelo class / S-BRBrazilian enlarged Scorpene derivative

Naval Group says Brazil selected Scorpene-type conventional submarines under PROSUB and built them through technology transfer at Itaguai; later reporting identifies the Brazilian boats as slightly enlarged and armed with F21 torpedoes and SM39 missiles.

Sources: Delivery and commissioning of Humaita, Delivery of the third and launching of the fourth Brazilian Scorpene submarines, Brazil launches fourth Scorpene submarine

Scorpene Evolved Full LiBIndonesian lithium-ion battery variant

Naval Group says Indonesia selected two Scorpene Evolved Full LiB submarines for local construction at PT PAL under technology transfer, with the contract entering force in July 2025.

Sources: Naval Group and PT PAL Scorpene Evolved contract, Entry into force of the Scorpene Evolved submarines contract for Indonesia

Tube-Launched Missiles

Scorpene-derived submarines are relevant here as underwater launch platforms for encapsulated anti-ship missiles.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
SM39 Exocet, Submarine-launched anti-ship missile, MunitionsSM39 ExocetSubmarine-launched anti-ship missile

Indian government reporting records Kalvari's maiden SM39 Exocet combat missile firing, Janes reports a Malaysian Scorpene firing a torpedo-tube-launched SM39 during an exercise, and Naval News reports SM39 capability for Indonesia's Scorpene Evolved boats.

Sources: Curtain Raiser: Kalvari to be Commissioned Tomorrow at Mumbai, Malaysia fires live torpedo from Scorpene submarine for the first time, Indonesia's First Two Scorpene Evolved Will Have Missile Launch Capability

Heavyweight Torpedoes

The open-source torpedo links are procurement, compatibility, and service-fit evidence rather than conflict-use evidence.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
F21 heavyweight torpedo, 533 mm heavyweight torpedo, MunitionsF21 heavyweight torpedo533 mm heavyweight torpedo

Naval Group says the F21 was selected by Brazil to equip its four Scorpene submarines, and Naval News describes Brazilian Riachuelo-class boats as armed with F21 heavyweight torpedoes.

Sources: F21 | Naval Group, Brazil launches fourth Scorpene submarine

Export And Local-Build Context

Scorpene-family submarines connect to the catalog through sourced launch-platform relationships, export construction, and national variants. The reviewed sources support trials, procurement, exercise firings, and carried weapons, but not Scorpene combat use in a named armed conflict.

FleetBuild contextSupported distinction
ChileTwo boats delivered in 2005-2006O'Higgins and Carrera form Chile's Scorpene fleet at Talcahuano.
IndiaSix Project 75 boats built by MDL with Naval Group collaborationKalvari-class sources document Scorpene-derived boats with SM39 missiles and heavyweight torpedoes.
BrazilPROSUB local construction through technology transferThe Riachuelo/S-BR boats are enlarged Scorpene derivatives, with public sources linking them to F21 torpedoes and SM39 missiles.
IndonesiaTwo Scorpene Evolved Full LiB boats planned at PT PALNaval Group describes local construction, lithium-ion energy storage, SUBTICS, six tubes, and 18 carried weapons.

Sources: Silent sovereignty: Chile Scorpene submarines; Commissioning of fifth Kalvari class submarine Vagir; Brazil launches fourth Scorpene submarine; Naval Group and PT PAL Scorpene Evolved contract.

Timeline

Scorpene-class submarine Key Events

  1. Chile orders Scorpene submarines

    Naval Group lists Chile's two-boat Scorpene order as the start of the Chilean program.

    Sources: Silent sovereignty: Chile Scorpene submarines

  2. General O'Higgins delivered

    Naval Group records delivery of General O'Higgins to the Chilean Navy after sea trials.

    Sources: Silent sovereignty: Chile Scorpene submarines

  3. Kalvari fires SM39 during trials

    India's Press Information Bureau says Kalvari conducted the Indian Navy's maiden SM39 Exocet combat missile firing during trials.

    Sources: Curtain Raiser: Kalvari to be Commissioned Tomorrow at Mumbai

  4. Riachuelo commissioned

    Naval Group says Brazil's first PROSUB Scorpene, Riachuelo, entered Brazilian Navy service in September 2022.

    Sources: Delivery of the third and launching of the fourth Brazilian Scorpene submarines

  5. Indonesia contract announced

    Naval Group announced that Indonesia selected Naval Group and PT PAL for two Scorpene Evolved Full LiB submarines to be built in Indonesia.

    Sources: Naval Group and PT PAL Scorpene Evolved contract

  6. INS Vaghsheer commissioned

    India's Press Information Bureau described INS Vaghsheer as the sixth P75 submarine when it was commissioned at Mumbai.

    Sources: INS Vaghsheer commissioning

  7. Indonesia contract enters force

    Naval Group said the Indonesian Scorpene Evolved contract entered force and that the two submarines would be built and commissioned in Indonesia.

    Sources: Entry into force of the Scorpene Evolved submarines contract for Indonesia

Media

Scorpene-class submarine Videos

Scorpene-class submarine Images

Scorpene-class submarine, Diesel-electric attack submarine, Naval Systems - view 1
Source: Scorpene malaisien Wikimedia Commons
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Sources

Naval Group submarinesPublisher: Naval Group | Note: Supports Scorpene identity, Naval Group manufacturer context, conventional submarine role, and mission set. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Naval Group and PT PAL Scorpene Evolved contractPublisher: Naval Group | Note: Supports Indonesian Scorpene Evolved Full LiB contract, PT PAL local construction, technology transfer, SUBTICS, 6 tubes, 18 weapons, crew, autonomy, speed, displacement, and mission set. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Entry into force of the Scorpene Evolved submarines contract for IndonesiaPublisher: Naval Group | Note: Supports the July 2025 entry into force of the Indonesian Scorpene Evolved contract and local build/commissioning plan in Indonesia. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Curtain Raiser: Kalvari to be Commissioned Tomorrow at MumbaiPublisher: Press Information Bureau, Government of India | Note: Supports Kalvari's March 2017 SM39 Exocet firing, SUT torpedo option, Indian Scorpene build context, and Kalvari specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Commissioning of fifth Kalvari class submarine VagirPublisher: Press Information Bureau, Government of India | Note: Supports Project 75 context, six Scorpene submarines built in India by MDL with Naval Group collaboration, and Indian missile/torpedo fit context. | Accessed: 2026-07-05INS Vaghsheer commissioningPublisher: Press Information Bureau, Government of India | Note: Supports INS Vaghsheer commissioning on January 15, 2025 as the sixth P75 submarine. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Silent sovereignty: Chile Scorpene submarinesPublisher: Naval Group | Note: Supports Chilean Scorpene milestones, delivery of General O'Higgins and General Carrera, and Talcahuano basing. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Delivery and commissioning of HumaitaPublisher: Naval Group | Note: Supports Brazilian Scorpene local construction, adapted Brazilian configuration, and F21 torpedo selection for Brazil's four Scorpene submarines. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Delivery of the third and launching of the fourth Brazilian Scorpene submarinesPublisher: Naval Group | Note: Supports Brazilian PROSUB sequence, Riachuelo and Humaita commissioning dates, ICN construction, and technology-transfer context. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Brazil launches fourth Scorpene submarinePublisher: Naval News | Note: Supports Brazilian Riachuelo-class local construction details, approximate dimensions, and F21/SM39 armament reporting. | Accessed: 2026-07-05F21 | Naval GroupPublisher: Naval Group | Note: Supports F21 torpedo selection for Brazil's four Scorpene submarines and the Scorpene/F21 relationship. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Indonesia's First Two Scorpene Evolved Will Have Missile Launch CapabilityPublisher: Naval News | Note: Supports SM39 missile-launch capability as part of Indonesia's Scorpene Evolved contract. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Malaysia fires live torpedo from Scorpene submarine for the first timePublisher: Janes | Note: Supports Malaysian Scorpene-class exercise context and a torpedo-tube-launched Exocet SM39 firing by KD Tunku Abdul Rahman. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Chilean Submarine Scorpene Class Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a Chilean Scorpene-class submarine photograph under CC BY-SA 3.0. | Accessed: 2026-07-05Scorpene malaisien Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for Malaysian submarine Tunku Abdul Rahman, a Scorpene-class submarine, during trials at Lorient under CC BY-SA licensing. | Accessed: 2026-07-05