Desk : In a significant boost to India’s maritime defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an indigenous Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for submarines, which is now in its final stages.
This advanced system will enable conventional diesel-electric submarines of the Indian Navy to remain submerged for longer durations without surfacing, thereby significantly enhancing their stealth and combat effectiveness.
With the integration of AIP technology, submarines will be able to operate underwater for extended periods without the need to frequently surface for battery recharging. Currently, conventional submarines must come closer to the surface to recharge batteries, increasing the risk of detection. The new system is expected to eliminate this vulnerability to a large extent.
The AIP system developed by DRDO is based on phosphoric acid fuel cell technology, which generates power through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. One of its key advantages is low acoustic signature, making submarines much harder to detect.
According to sources, the indigenous AIP system will be installed in a phased manner on Scorpene-class submarines of the Indian Navy. It is likely to be first integrated into INS Khanderi, followed by extensive sea trials.
Defence experts believe that with this development, India will join a select group of nations possessing indigenous AIP capability. The achievement is expected to significantly enhance India’s strategic position in the Indian Ocean Region while reinforcing the vision of self-reliance in defence technology.