Indian Navy submarines to get major upgrade with AIP technology and advanced torpedoes

The Indian Navy submarines are set to receive two new technologies, enabling them to stay underwater for longer periods and enhancing their firepower. The Ministry of Defence has signed separate contracts for the integration of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology and Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedoes (EHWT) on board the Kalvari class submarines.

The Indian Navy has five submarines of the Kalvari class, with one more set to be commissioned and three more on order. The AIP technology, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will be integrated by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, at a cost of Rs 1,990 crore.

The EHWT, also developed by DRDO, will be integrated by the Indian Navy, DRDO, and the Naval Group, France, at a cost of Rs 877 crore. The Naval Group and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited are in a joint venture to manufacture Kalvari class submarines at Mumbai.

The AIP technology will enhance the endurance of conventional submarines, allowing them to operate underwater for longer periods without surfacing to recharge batteries. AIP systems generate electricity to power the submarine’s propulsion and recharge its batteries, making them quieter and harder to detect.

The EHWT is an advanced torpedo equipped with sophisticated electronics and guidance systems, enabling it to track and engage targets with high precision. It is heavier and more powerful than standard torpedoes, making it effective against larger and more heavily armoured targets.

These upgrades will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Indian Navy’s submarines, allowing them to remain underwater for 8 to 10 days, compared to 3 to 4 days for conventional diesel-electric submarines.