Air-Independent Propulsion For Last Two Scorpene Submarines Ready: DRDO

India's Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today claimed it has successfully developed the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, which gives conventionally-powered submarines longer endurance to stay underwater.

This was announced by the DRDO chief Dr.S.Christopher at the annual DRDO Awards function presided over by Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and the chiefs of the Indian Navy and the Air Force. Dr.Christopher said the indigenously-developed AIP technology has been demonstrated on a land-based prototype. Talks are on with the French DCNS to examine the possibility of incorporating the AIP plug in the 5th and 6th Scorpene submarines being constructed at Mumbai's Mazagon Docks Limited under a technology transfer.

The technology demonstrator has been developed by the DRDO's Naval Material Research Laboratory (NMRL) at Ambernath in Maharashtra.

If the technology works, it'll rule out import of AIP plugs. AIP is being looked upon as a significant game changer in conventional diesel-electrical submarine operations. AIP-fitted submarines can stay underwater much longer than those without it.

Diesel-electrical submarines have the limitation of having to surface regularly to re-charge batteries. This makes these boats vulnerable to enemy attack. 

 armingin