India's Indigenous AIP System to be Fitted on P-75 Scorpene Submarine by 2026: DRDO Chief

Pune, India - Dr Samir V Kamat, Chairperson of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), announced on Saturday that India's indigenously developed Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system will be integrated into the Indian Navy's Scorpene submarine by 2026.

This strategically significant advancement is set to drastically enhance the submerged endurance of diesel-electric submarines, a crucial capability for naval operations.

The announcement was made during Kamat's convocation address at the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) in Pune, where 271 students, including several serving officers from the Indian armed forces, graduated.

DIAT, a premier research institution under the Ministry of Defence, plays a vital role in developing cutting-edge defence technologies, ranging from advanced sensing and radar systems to quantum communications and artificial intelligence.

Kamat highlighted the importance of teamwork in defence research, citing the successful development of the AIP system by a small team of scientists at the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) in Ambernath. "We are only the third country which has developed this capability," Kamat stated proudly.

The AIP system, which enables conventional submarines to remain submerged for extended periods without needing to surface for air, will be retrofitted into the INS Kalvari, a Scorpene-class submarine, during its refit in 2026. This upgrade will significantly boost the Indian Navy's stealth and operational capabilities.

Kamat also addressed the evolving global landscape, emphasizing the need for DRDO to adapt to emerging challenges and disruptive technologies. He underscored the importance of India becoming a major player in the multipolar world that is taking shape and stressed the need to leverage technology to maintain a strong defence posture.

The indigenous development of AIP technology marks a significant milestone for India's defence capabilities, enhancing its naval strength and self-reliance in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

 

[Sunny]

If the DRDO AIP is successful we should go for 3 more Scorpene in addition to the 3 being purchased.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

How about turn it over to GRSE instead, then it could be preponed to sometime in 2025 realistically.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a critical requirement and it should be manufactured as soon as possible. They should start preparing and manufacturing the critical equipment and technology in preparation for when the submarine is due for a refit. There’s no point in starting to manufacture it when the submarine enters the yard and then waste 2-3 years in manufacturing the AIP module and then another 2-3 years fitting it in. There should be a coordinated approach between manufacturer and ship yards to minimise delays as much as possible.

 

[NSR]

India must pay France Naval Systems company very well for their consultancy services and also for the workshares of first submarine INS Kalvari and learn well to upgrade the rest of the 5 Scorpenes by yourself with any further help from NS.

It will make Scorpene SSKs a formidable and stealthy fighting force to reckon with.

 

[Anant]

If the DRDO AIP is successful we should go for 3 more Scorpene in addition to the 3 being purchased.

Instead of that, it may be a better idea to go for three additional P-75(I) boats with DRDO AIP. That would allow us to have two large-ish classes of submarines, strengthening the case for MRO, etc.

 

[Anant]

How about turn it over to GRSE instead, then it could be preponed to sometime in 2025 realistically.

The only problem with that is that GRSE has absolutely no experience with submarines.

 

[Sunny]

Instead of that, it may be a better idea to go for three additional P-75(I) boats with DRDO AIP. That would allow us to have two large-ish classes of submarines, strengthening the case for MRO, etc.

The P-75i is unlikely to be equipped with DRDO AIP as those are being procured with AIP already equipped. It will be ideal to go with more P-75i and go for more Scorpene only in case of delays.