During the ongoing EURONAVAL 2026 Press Tour organised by the French Maritime Industry Association (GICAN), MBDA confirmed that the company is offering its submarine-launched Exocet anti-ship missile for Indonesia’s future Scorpène Evolved submarines.
Responding to a question from Naval News, MBDA said it is offering the SM39 Block 2 Mod 2, the latest submarine-launched Exocet variant currently in full production. The company also confirmed that the ongoing contract for two Scorpène Evolved submarines already includes the capability to launch the SM39, as Naval News previously reported.
MBDA said it is offering the SM39 rather than the next-generation SM40, which remains under development, because of Indonesia’s submarine production timeline.
The first and second Indonesian Scorpène Evolved submarines are scheduled for delivery in 2032 and 2033, respectively, and MBDA wants to ensure that the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) can equip the boats with a submarine-launched anti-ship missile at or soon after delivery if required.
Meanwhile, the SM40, which is still in development, may not be available in time to meet the aforementioned schedule.
However, MBDA stressed that Indonesia could still acquire the SM40 in the future. The company said only minimal adjustments would be needed to use the newer missile, as the SM39 and SM40 use the same storage and launch capsule and both fit standard 533 mm submarine torpedo tubes. SM40 brings 120 km range and features the new generation J-band seeker initially designed for the MM40 B3c.
MBDA expects Indonesia to formally order SM39 in early 2027.
About the SM39 Block 2 Mod 2
The SM39 launches from a torpedo tube inside a watertight capsule that carries the missile to the surface before releasing it for low-altitude, sea-skimming, high-subsonic flight.
MBDA lists the missile at 655 kilograms, 4.69 meters long, and 350mm in diameter, with an operational range of more than 50 km. It uses inertial navigation followed by an active RF seeker for terminal guidance.
The missile carries a high-explosive warhead with impact and proximity fuses.
The Block 2 Mod 2 represents the latest production standard of the SM39, incorporating updated electronics, improved seeker performance, and better electronic counter-countermeasure capability than earlier versions.
The missile already equips previous Scorpène-family submarines, including the Brazil’s Riachuelo-class, as well as the nuclear-powered submarines of the French navy.
