The Indian Navy has reached a significant milestone in enhancing its underwater capabilities with the launch of the Phase-2 testing phase for an indigenous air-independent propulsion (AIP) system developed by DRDO. This technology increases the underwater endurance of diesel-electric submarines by reducing their reliance on atmospheric oxygen. Following rigorous power production evaluations, the AIP module is scheduled for integration into the Kalvari-class submarines by early 2027.

The Indian Navy has reached a significant milestone in enhancing its underwater capabilities with the launch of the Phase-2 testing phase for an indigenous air-independent propulsion (AIP) system developed by DRDO. This technology increases the underwater endurance of diesel-electric submarines by reducing their reliance on atmospheric oxygen. Following rigorous power production evaluations, the AIP module is scheduled for integration into the Kalvari-class submarines by early 2027.

The Indian Navy has reached a significant milestone in enhancing its underwater capabilities with the launch of the Phase-2 testing phase for an indigenous air-independent propulsion (AIP) system developed by DRDO. This technology increases the underwater endurance of diesel-electric submarines by reducing their reliance on atmospheric oxygen. Following rigorous power production evaluations, the AIP module is scheduled for integration into the Kalvari-class submarines by early 2027.

A major milestone towards enhancing the Indian Navy's underwater capabilities has been achieved with the inauguration of the 'Setting to Work Phase-2' activity of an indigenous air-independent propulsion (AIP) system.

The AIP system boosts the underwater endurance of diesel-electric submarines by reducing their dependence on atmospheric oxygen, the defence ministry said in a release.

In the next phase, the AIP energy module will be energised for power production and tested rigorously as per the Navy's protocols before it is handed over to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited for integration on the Kalvari-class submarine in early 2027, the ministry said.

"A significant milestone towards enhancing the Indian Navy's underwater capabilities has been achieved with the inauguration of 'Setting to Work (STW)-Phase 2' activity of the Air Independent Propulsion system energy module developed indigenously by the Naval Materials Research Laboratory, DRDO," it said.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Larsen and Toubro's AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex in Hazira, Gujarat, on Saturday, the ministry said.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, who holds additional charge as Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development, participated in the ceremony virtually.

Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy, Vice Admiral B Sivakumar and Director General (Naval Systems & Materials), DRDO, R Balamuralikrishnan also attended the event at Hazira.

Singh congratulated the DRDO and the industry partners and appreciated the scientific perseverance and industrial cooperation in the indigenous AIP programme, which has culminated in "productive reality on the shop floor", the ministry said.

He also acknowledged the cooperation rendered by the Indian Navy to the DRDO throughout the course of the programme, including testing and validating at every stage of trials.

Singh emphasised working towards the next phases of the programme to achieve the Navy's induction timelines for the AIP system, while "maintaining the exacting safety culture that hydrogen and fuel cell systems require without compromise", the ministry said.

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