Indian Navy Set to Gain Advanced Torpedoes and AIP Technology.

According to information published by the Indian MoD on December 30, 2024, the Ministry has signed two significant contracts valued at approximately $345.42 million. The agreements involve the construction and integration of the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for DRDO’s AIP system and the integration of the Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT) on Kalvari-Class submarines.
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Powering India's underwater defense: MoD secures contracts for AIP technology and heavy torpedoes. (Picture source: Generated by AI)

The first contract, worth $239.76 million, was awarded to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, for the construction of the AIP Plug and its integration onto Indian submarines. The indigenous AIP technology, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), enhances the underwater endurance of conventional submarines by allowing them to operate without surfacing for extended periods.

The second agreement, signed with Naval Group, France, involves the integration of DRDO-developed Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedoes (EHWT) into the Kalvari-Class submarines.

AIP Technology

Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology represents an advancement in submarine design, allowing non-nuclear submarines to operate without surfacing or using a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen. This capability enhances their stealth and operational range, making AIP-equipped submarines a critical component of modern naval fleets.

AIP systems enable submarines to stay submerged for extended periods by using alternative power sources. Among the most common technologies are Stirling engines, fuel cells, and bioethanol-based systems. Stirling engines, like those on Sweden’s Gotland-class submarines, burn liquid oxygen and diesel to generate power, providing weeks of underwater endurance. Fuel cell systems, as seen on Germany's Type 212A submarines, rely on a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, ensuring silent operations. Spain’s S-80 Plus submarines utilize a novel approach by producing hydrogen on-demand from stored bioethanol, which then powers fuel cells. This design eliminates the need to store potentially hazardous hydrogen onboard.

Germany and Italy operate the advanced Type 212A submarines, known for their quiet operations and extended endurance. Sweden’s Gotland-class submarines have showcased their operational effectiveness with prolonged underwater missions. In India, the Kalvari-class submarines are set to receive an indigenously developed AIP system during their mid-life upgrades, beginning with INS Kalvari in 2025.

The adoption of AIP technology offers several advantages, including extended submerged endurance, enhanced stealth, and greater operational flexibility. By minimizing the need to surface, these systems reduce the risk of detection and improve mission effectiveness. However, challenges persist, such as the lower energy density compared to nuclear propulsion, integration complexities in retrofitting existing submarines, and stringent safety requirements for handling reactive substances like liquid oxygen or hydrogen.