INS Kalvari Set to Embrace DRDO’s Revolutionary Fuel Cell Air Independence System
DRDO & Naval Group formalize pact to securely integrate homegrown AIP technology in Kalvari-class submarines
In a significant advancement for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the Fuel Cell-driven Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system from DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) is set to be installed aboard INS Kalvari. An agreement was made between top representatives of NMRL and Naval Group France in Mumbai on January 23, 2023, to enhance collaboration and transition into the comprehensive design phase for the integration of the indigenous AIP in Kalvari-class submarines. As part of this agreement, Naval Group France will validate the AIP design for incorporation into the submarines.
The AIP serves as a force multiplier regarding the operational capacity of a diesel-electric submarine, significantly boosting its submerged endurance. It offers advantages in functionality compared to alternative technologies and is distinctive as the hydrogen is produced onboard. This innovative technology has been successfully developed by NMRL, with assistance from Indian industry collaborators. The technology has now achieved a level of maturity suitable for industrial adoption.
Notably, the land-based prototype of NMRL’s AIP has undergone successful testing. This new initiative represents a critical advancement towards the detailed design certification of the energy module, which will be conducted by NMRL alongside Indian industry and platforms affected by the incorporation of the indigenous AIP within the Indian submarine by Naval Group. These measures will smoothly pave the way for the commencement of localisation and industrialization of AIP, including hull fabrication by Indian manufacturers for future installation on submarines.
During the occasion, Chairman & CEO of Naval Group France, Mr. Pierre Eric Pommellet, expressed pride in collaborating with Indian stakeholders to effectively incorporate the AIP into the Kalvari-class submarines, which are constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. This endeavor is a natural extension of the strategic bilateral partnership between India and France in the realm of underwater defense & deterrence and aligns with Naval Group’s ongoing commitment to the Government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has commended DRDO, Indian Navy, and MDL for advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the underwater sector. Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat, also congratulated NMRL, Indian Navy, MDL, and Naval Group France for establishing this strategic alliance.
