India has taken a significant step towards strengthening its submarine fleet with the recent signing of two crucial defense contracts worth approximately Rs 2,867 crore. These agreements, inked on December 30, 2024, mark a milestone in India’s push for greater self-reliance in defense, as well as its efforts to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy’s submarines. The contracts focus on the integration of an indigenously developed Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system and the addition of advanced Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedoes (EHWT) to the Kalvari-Class submarines.
Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug Construction and Integration
Value: Rs 1,990 crore
Partner: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai
Details: The project involves the construction of an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug, incorporating the indigenously developed DRDO-AIP system, and its integration into Indian submarines.
Significance: AIP technology will enable conventional submarines to remain submerged for extended durations, improving operational endurance. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mission, promoting indigenous capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign technology. The project is expected to generate employment equivalent to nearly three lakh man-days.
Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT) Integration
Value: Rs 877 crore
Partner: Naval Group, France
Details: The integration of the Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo, developed by DRDO, into the Navy’s Kalvari-Class submarines will significantly boost their firepower.
Significance: The collaborative effort between the Indian Navy, DRDO, and Naval Group will enhance the lethality of the Kalvari-Class submarines, ensuring they remain combat-ready for modern maritime challenges.
“The AIP technology is being indigenously developed by DRDO. The project pertaining to construction of AIP-plug and its integration will enhance the endurance of conventional submarines and significantly contribute towards the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative,” the ministry said in a statement.
