DRDO’s Fuel Cell-Based AIP Technology will Revolutionize India’s Submarine Capabilities

[NG Missile Vessels]

The underwater trials of indigenous fuel based Air Independent Propulsion system is expected to start next year. The trial will be conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

AIP technology significantly enhances the submerged endurance capability of submarines. Prior to this, the DRDO conducted successful shore-based prototype testing in 2021.

According to sources in the defence and security establishment, the domestically developed AIP system will be installed in three Scorpene submarines that India plans to acquire from France.

In collaboration with Naval Group France, DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) signed an agreement in January to validate the integration of indigenous AIP in the Kalvari class submarines.

An eco-friendly aspect of this AIP technology is that the by-product of the reaction is non-polluting water, which can be safely released into the oceans.

Private players like L&T and Thermax have played a significant role in supporting the development of this AIP technology. The technology for AIP has been transferred to L&T.

The AIP Modules have been indigeneously developed by Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) wing of DRDO with L&T as its industry partner. L&T, however, is the recipient of Transfer of Technology (ToT) for this DRDO developed AIP System. The manufacturing, integration and factory acceptance trials of the Energy Modules will be undertaken in L&T’s AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex at Surat, as per the company's press release.

The EMs will be supplied for integration into the AIP Plug that will be retrofitted into the submarine. The EMs are capable of producing the power required and also generating Hydrogen on-board ruling out the need to carry it. The unique technology, therefore, ensures safety of the submarine as the Modules generates hydrogen on demand.

The successful implementation of the fuel cell-based AIP system marks a major milestone for India’s naval capabilities and signifies a significant step towards eco-friendly and technologically advanced submarine operations.

The AIP system serves as a powerful force multiplier for diesel electric submarines, significantly boosting their submerged endurance by several folds. With its unique capability of generating hydrogen onboard, it outperforms other technologies in terms of performance. NMRL, with the unwavering support of Indian industry partners, has successfully developed this cutting-edge technology, which has now reached a stage of maturity ready for industrialization.

Worth mentioning is the successful testing of the land-based prototype of NMRL’s AIP, paving the way for the detailed design certification of the energy module. NMRL, in collaboration with Indian industry partners, will take the lead in this endeavor. The integration of the indigenous AIP into Indian submarines by Naval Group of France will also involve the design of the impacted platforms. This cooperative effort will set the stage for the localization and industrialization of the AIP, including hull fabrication, by the Indian industry, with future plans for onboard fitting on submarines.

The integration of the indigenous AIP system in INS Kalvari will undoubtedly reinforce the country’s naval capabilities and herald a new era of self-sufficiency in defence innovation.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-drdos-fuel-cell-based-aip-technology-will-revolutionize-indias-submarine-capabilities-3181366/lite/

L&T, DRDO sign contract for AIP System for submarines of Indian Navy

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have signed a contract to provide two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for the Indian Navy's Kalvari Class submarines. The AIP Modules will be manufactured, integrated and undergo factory acceptance...

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[NG Missile Vessels]

Naval Group working on qualifying DRDO-developed Air Independent Propulsion system for installation on Scorpenes

As India begins negotiations with France for three more Scorpene-class submarines, Naval Group has already invested over ₹100 crore for three workshops for maintenance of critical systems of Scorpene submarines which have the tools and infrastructure for important tasks and also stocking spares and is also working on qualifying the Defence Research and Development Organisation- developed (DRDO) Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for installation on the Scorpenes.

Naval Group and Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation on three additional Scorpenes on July 6.

“The details of technical features and other parameters, including delivery lead time, will be complied with the MDL as per the requirements of the Indian Navy. Industrial partners, both French and Indian, will provide all necessary support,” Pierre Éric Pommellet, Naval Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, told The Hindu.

On July 13, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was entourage to Paris, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighters and three additional Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines for the Navy from France.

The DAC granted the AoN for procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category which will be constructed by the MDL and has higher indigenous content, the Ministry had stated.

The three additional Scorpene submarines will also come fitted with the DRDO-developed AIP system to enhance their endurance. “Further, the indigenous content will be higher as several efforts are in place in areas of DRDO AIP, combat system among others. We are assisting the DRDO to integrate their AIP and other indigenous technologies on-board Scorpene designed submarines,” Mr. Pommellet said.

Indigenous AIP module
The Indian Navy has drawn up plans to install Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) modules on all Scorpene submarines as they go for their refit beginning with INS Kalvari likely by end next year to enhance their endurance. The indigenous AIP module has been tested on shore and recently DRDO and Naval Group signed an agreement to integrate the AIP module on the Scorpene.

“We are actively supporting the DRDO in qualifying indigenous supplier of liquid oxygen tank and preparation of the future stage of “jumboisation” [making the new hull, integrate safely the AIP, cut the submarine and join it with new AIP section] during submarine’s normal refit,” Mr. Pommellet said.

In addition to submarines, Naval Group has signed MoUs with Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam to support their bid for the Navy’s Landing Platform Dock (LPD) ships and with Larsen and Toubro (L&T) to support their midget submarine development.

The Indo-French joint statement issued on July 14 hailed the success of the first Scorpene submarine construction programme and the sharing of naval expertise between companies in the two countries and added, “India and France are ready to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet and its performance.”

Six Scorpene submarines are being built under Project-75 by the MDL under technology transfer from Naval Group under a $3.75 bn deal signed in October 2005 and is almost complete. The first submarine INS Kalvari was commissioned in December 2017, second submarine INS Khanderi in September 2019, third one INS Karanj in March 2021 and the fourth one INS Vela joined service in November 2021. “The 6th submarine, Vagsheer, is undergoing trial phases and we expect it to be delivered by early 2024”, Mr. Pommellet added.

The Indian Navy currently has 17 conventional submarines in service. They include seven Russian Kilo-class submarines, four German HDW submarines, six Scorpene-class submarines. The SSKs - 209s (German HDWs) and EKMs (Russian Kilo’s), are being put through the Medium Refit Life Certification (MRLC) process which will give them additional life of 10 to 15 years, as reported earlier.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehindu.com/news/national/naval-group-working-on-qualifying-drdo-developed-air-independent-propulsion-system-for-installation-on-scorpenes/article67091237.ece/amp/

 

[Maarkhoor]

View attachment 940235
The underwater trials of indigenous fuel based Air Independent Propulsion system is expected to start next year. The trial will be conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

AIP technology significantly enhances the submerged endurance capability of submarines. Prior to this, the DRDO conducted successful shore-based prototype testing in 2021.

According to sources in the defence and security establishment, the domestically developed AIP system will be installed in three Scorpene submarines that India plans to acquire from France.

In collaboration with Naval Group France, DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) signed an agreement in January to validate the integration of indigenous AIP in the Kalvari class submarines.

An eco-friendly aspect of this AIP technology is that the by-product of the reaction is non-polluting water, which can be safely released into the oceans.

Private players like L&T and Thermax have played a significant role in supporting the development of this AIP technology. The technology for AIP has been transferred to L&T.

The AIP Modules have been indigeneously developed by Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) wing of DRDO with L&T as its industry partner. L&T, however, is the recipient of Transfer of Technology (ToT) for this DRDO developed AIP System. The manufacturing, integration and factory acceptance trials of the Energy Modules will be undertaken in L&T’s AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex at Surat, as per the company's press release.

The EMs will be supplied for integration into the AIP Plug that will be retrofitted into the submarine. The EMs are capable of producing the power required and also generating Hydrogen on-board ruling out the need to carry it. The unique technology, therefore, ensures safety of the submarine as the Modules generates hydrogen on demand.

The successful implementation of the fuel cell-based AIP system marks a major milestone for India’s naval capabilities and signifies a significant step towards eco-friendly and technologically advanced submarine operations.

The AIP system serves as a powerful force multiplier for diesel electric submarines, significantly boosting their submerged endurance by several folds. With its unique capability of generating hydrogen onboard, it outperforms other technologies in terms of performance. NMRL, with the unwavering support of Indian industry partners, has successfully developed this cutting-edge technology, which has now reached a stage of maturity ready for industrialization.

Worth mentioning is the successful testing of the land-based prototype of NMRL’s AIP, paving the way for the detailed design certification of the energy module. NMRL, in collaboration with Indian industry partners, will take the lead in this endeavor. The integration of the indigenous AIP into Indian submarines by Naval Group of France will also involve the design of the impacted platforms. This cooperative effort will set the stage for the localization and industrialization of the AIP, including hull fabrication, by the Indian industry, with future plans for onboard fitting on submarines.

The integration of the indigenous AIP system in INS Kalvari will undoubtedly reinforce the country’s naval capabilities and herald a new era of self-sufficiency in defence innovation.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-drdos-fuel-cell-based-aip-technology-will-revolutionize-indias-submarine-capabilities-3181366/lite/

L&T, DRDO sign contract for AIP System for submarines of Indian Navy

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have signed a contract to provide two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for the Indian Navy's Kalvari Class submarines. The AIP Modules will be manufactured, integrated and undergo factory acceptance...

www.google.com

Pakistan using this tech since ages and now Indian woke up.

 

[NG Missile Vessels]

Pakistan using this tech since ages

Imported tech