Indian AIP To Be Fitted On 1st Scorpene Submarine

[walterbibikow]

In a major milestone for indigenous submarine tech, and a long-standing demand by the Indian Navy, a homeground air-independent propulsion (AIP) system has been cleared for integration on the first Made-in-India Scorpene class submarine INS Kalvari.

In a statement just out, the Indian Ministry of Defence has said, “Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system of DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) will soon be fitted onboard INS Kalvari. An agreement was signed between senior officials of NMRL and Naval Group France in Mumbai on January 23, 2023 to extend cooperation to enter into the detailed design phase for integration of indigenous AIP in the Kalvari class submarines. As part of the agreement, Naval Group France will certify the AIP design for integration in the submarines

AIP systems, when fitted on conventional diesel-electric submarines, significantly enhance a submarine’s submerged endurance and therefore its overall stealth. While Scorpene maker Naval Group’s own in-house MESMA AIP system has been on offer ever since the submarine building contract was signed in 2007, India’s DRDO has contended since that time that an imported system will not be required as an in-house AIP is getting off the ground.

To be sure, the DRDO AIP has taken its time to achieve technical maturity, but the fact that it has now been cleared for integration indicates that a highly complex system has been developed indigenously, and crucially without outside help.

The MoD statement says, “The AIP has a force multiplier effect on lethality of a diesel electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance by several folds. It has merits in performance compared to other technologies and is unique as the hydrogen is generated onboard. This technology has been successfully developed by NMRL with the support of Indian industry partners. The technology has now reached the stage of maturity for industrialisation. It is worth mentioning that the land-based prototype of the NMRL’s AIP has been tested successfully. This new endeavour will be a significant step towards the detailed design certification of the energy module, which will be performed by NMRL along with Indian industry and design of the platforms impacted by the integration of the indigenous AIP inside the Indian submarine by Naval Group. These actions will seamlessly lead the way to start of localisation and industrialization of AIP including the hull fabrication by the Indian industry for future fitment on-board the submarines.“

A diagram of DRDO’s AIP system that will be integrated on INS Kalvari

In December 2020, Naval Group’s India leadership had detailed activity around the milestone that has been announced today. You can read all about that here.

Clearance to the DRDO API comes on the same day that the Indian Navy commissioned into service its fifth Scorpene (Kalvari class) submarine. The lead submarine of the class — INS Kalvari, which will receive the indigenous AIP system — was commissioned into service in 2017. A sixth and final Scorpene submarine under contract will enter Indian naval service later this year or early next.

In 2019, the Indian MoD provided formal approval to a follow-on Project 75-India to built six more submarines under license in India, with a significantly improved version of the Scorpene, sporting air independent propulsion and other systems, one of the contenders.With the lead ship of the class now cleared for an Indian-made API, the Scorpene gets a significant boost in the competition

@Skull and Bones @Raj-Hindustani @VkdIndian @Varunastra @INDIAPOSITIVE @SIPRA

Indian AIP To Be Fitted on 1st Scorpene Submarine - Livefist

In a major milestone for indigenous submarine tech, and a long-standing demand by the Indian Navy, a homeground air-independent propulsion (AIP) system has been cleared for integration on the first Made-in-India Scorpene class submarine INS Kalvari. In a statement just out, the Indian Ministry...

www.livefistdefence.com

DRDO and Naval Group France sign pact to fit indigenous AIP system on Kalvari class submarines

The agreement was signed to extend cooperation to enter into the detailed design phase for the integration of indigenous AIP in the Kalvari class submarines.

www.google.com

 

[Skull and Bones]

Welcome back.

 

[Abdul Rehman Majeed]

View attachment 913224
In a major milestone for indigenous submarine tech, and a long-standing demand by the Indian Navy, a homeground air-independent propulsion (AIP) system has been cleared for integration on the first Made-in-India Scorpene class submarine INS Kalvari.

In a statement just out, the Indian Ministry of Defence has said, “Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system of DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) will soon be fitted onboard INS Kalvari. An agreement was signed between senior officials of NMRL and Naval Group France in Mumbai on January 23, 2023 to extend cooperation to enter into the detailed design phase for integration of indigenous AIP in the Kalvari class submarines. As part of the agreement, Naval Group France will certify the AIP design for integration in the submarines
View attachment 913225
AIP systems, when fitted on conventional diesel-electric submarines, significantly enhance a submarine’s submerged endurance and therefore its overall stealth. While Scorpene maker Naval Group’s own in-house MESMA AIP system has been on offer ever since the submarine building contract was signed in 2007, India’s DRDO has contended since that time that an imported system will not be required as an in-house AIP is getting off the ground.

To be sure, the DRDO AIP has taken its time to achieve technical maturity, but the fact that it has now been cleared for integration indicates that a highly complex system has been developed indigenously, and crucially without outside help.
View attachment 913226
The MoD statement says, “The AIP has a force multiplier effect on lethality of a diesel electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance by several folds. It has merits in performance compared to other technologies and is unique as the hydrogen is generated onboard. This technology has been successfully developed by NMRL with the support of Indian industry partners. The technology has now reached the stage of maturity for industrialisation. It is worth mentioning that the land-based prototype of the NMRL’s AIP has been tested successfully. This new endeavour will be a significant step towards the detailed design certification of the energy module, which will be performed by NMRL along with Indian industry and design of the platforms impacted by the integration of the indigenous AIP inside the Indian submarine by Naval Group. These actions will seamlessly lead the way to start of localisation and industrialization of AIP including the hull fabrication by the Indian industry for future fitment on-board the submarines.“
View attachment 913227
A diagram of DRDO’s AIP system that will be integrated on INS Kalvari

In December 2020, Naval Group’s India leadership had detailed activity around the milestone that has been announced today. You can read all about that here.

Clearance to the DRDO API comes on the same day that the Indian Navy commissioned into service its fifth Scorpene (Kalvari class) submarine. The lead submarine of the class — INS Kalvari, which will receive the indigenous AIP system — was commissioned into service in 2017. A sixth and final Scorpene submarine under contract will enter Indian naval service later this year or early next.

In 2019, the Indian MoD provided formal approval to a follow-on Project 75-India to built six more submarines under license in India, with a significantly improved version of the Scorpene, sporting air independent propulsion and other systems, one of the contenders.With the lead ship of the class now cleared for an Indian-made API, the Scorpene gets a significant boost in the competition

@Skull and Bones @Raj-Hindustani @VkdIndian @Varunastra @INDIAPOSITIVE @SIPRA

Indian AIP To Be Fitted on 1st Scorpene Submarine - Livefist

In a major milestone for indigenous submarine tech, and a long-standing demand by the Indian Navy, a homeground air-independent propulsion (AIP) system has been cleared for integration on the first Made-in-India Scorpene class submarine INS Kalvari. In a statement just out, the Indian Ministry...

www.livefistdefence.com

DRDO and Naval Group France sign pact to fit indigenous AIP system on Kalvari class submarines

The agreement was signed to extend cooperation to enter into the detailed design phase for the integration of indigenous AIP in the Kalvari class submarines.

www.google.com

What happens to the AIP when you operate the submarine with the hatch left open?

 

[walterbibikow]

Indian Navy may approach govt for 3 more Kalvari submarines

The fifth diesel attack submarine 1775 tonne INS Vagir was commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar on Monday at MDL in Mumbai and the sixth of the Kalvari class INS Vagsheer is expected to be commissioned later this year or early 2024

The Kalvari class submarines or Project 75 was approved by the A B Vajpayee government in 1997 and the project was expedited in 1999 after the Kargil War with Pakistan. (ANI)

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is considering approaching the government for the construction of three more Kalvari class submarines, fitted with long endurance air independent propulsion (AIP) unit, by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in collaboration with French Naval Group.

The fifth diesel attack submarine 1775 tonne INS Vagir was commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar on Monday at MDL in Mumbai and the sixth of the Kalvari class INS Vagsheer is expected to be commissioned later this year or early 2024.

According to South Block officials, the Indian Navy is expected to approach the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) soon for acceptance of necessity (AoN) for three more diesel attack submarines under the “Make in India” project with the French Naval Group expected to test the DRDO developed AIP system before fitting in the new submarines. Initially, the Navy had the option to construct three more submarines after contracting six with the Naval group, but this option was cancelled in 2016 after Naval Headquarters wanted the government to clear six submarines under Project 75 (I) or fitted with AIP after floating global tenders.

While the Defence Ministry floated request for information for its Project 75 (I) in August 2021, major submarine design and developers except for South Korea showed little interest in making AIP fitted submarines for India as lithium-ion technology had taken over conventional attack submarines and the big P-5 powers were only making nuclear powered conventional attack submarines or SSNs. Given the possibility of a single vendor option apart from the Modi government totally committed to “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, the Navy went back to the drawing board on the submarine line.

With China rapidly expanding its Navy including nuclear attack submarines, the Indian Navy could ill-afford to keep its functioning submarine construction line at MDL idle while debates went on about the right submarine to acquire for India’s maritime security (a must, given the country’s 7500 km long coastline) . The Kalvari class submarines or Project 75 was approved by the A B Vajpayee government in 1997 and the project was expedited in 1999 after the Kargil War with Pakistan. The first Kalvari class submarine was commissioned 18 years later on December 14, 2017, with the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar urging the Navy to exercise the option for the additional three submarines soon.

It is understood that the Indian Navy’s leadership is now rethinking Parrikar’s proposal and is expected to ask for three more Kalvari class submarines fitted with DRDO’s AIP. The same AIP will be retrofitted into existing Kalvari class submarines when they come to MDL for a mid-life refit.

While the Indian Navy wants three indigenous nuclear attack submarines to expand its footprint in the Indo-Pacific, there is a strong possibility that India and France may collaborate to export Kalvari or Scorpene submarines to countries such as Indonesia. India’s sea based nuclear deterrent is operational with two nuclear powered nuclear ballistic missile armed submarines already patrolling global waters and a third under fitment

Navy may approach govt for 3 more Kalvari submarines

The fifth diesel attack submarine 1775 tonne INS Vagir was commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar on Monday at MDL in Mumbai and the sixth of the Kalvari class INS Vagsheer is expected to be commissioned later this year or early 2024.

www.hindustantimes.com

 

[Abdul Rehman Majeed]

Indian Navy may approach govt for 3 more Kalvari submarines

The fifth diesel attack submarine 1775 tonne INS Vagir was commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar on Monday at MDL in Mumbai and the sixth of the Kalvari class INS Vagsheer is expected to be commissioned later this year or early 2024
View attachment 913228
The Kalvari class submarines or Project 75 was approved by the A B Vajpayee government in 1997 and the project was expedited in 1999 after the Kargil War with Pakistan. (ANI)

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is considering approaching the government for the construction of three more Kalvari class submarines, fitted with long endurance air independent propulsion (AIP) unit, by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in collaboration with French Naval Group.

The fifth diesel attack submarine 1775 tonne INS Vagir was commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar on Monday at MDL in Mumbai and the sixth of the Kalvari class INS Vagsheer is expected to be commissioned later this year or early 2024.

According to South Block officials, the Indian Navy is expected to approach the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) soon for acceptance of necessity (AoN) for three more diesel attack submarines under the “Make in India” project with the French Naval Group expected to test the DRDO developed AIP system before fitting in the new submarines. Initially, the Navy had the option to construct three more submarines after contracting six with the Naval group, but this option was cancelled in 2016 after Naval Headquarters wanted the government to clear six submarines under Project 75 (I) or fitted with AIP after floating global tenders.

While the Defence Ministry floated request for information for its Project 75 (I) in August 2021, major submarine design and developers except for South Korea showed little interest in making AIP fitted submarines for India as lithium-ion technology had taken over conventional attack submarines and the big P-5 powers were only making nuclear powered conventional attack submarines or SSNs. Given the possibility of a single vendor option apart from the Modi government totally committed to “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, the Navy went back to the drawing board on the submarine line.

With China rapidly expanding its Navy including nuclear attack submarines, the Indian Navy could ill-afford to keep its functioning submarine construction line at MDL idle while debates went on about the right submarine to acquire for India’s maritime security (a must, given the country’s 7500 km long coastline) . The Kalvari class submarines or Project 75 was approved by the A B Vajpayee government in 1997 and the project was expedited in 1999 after the Kargil War with Pakistan. The first Kalvari class submarine was commissioned 18 years later on December 14, 2017, with the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar urging the Navy to exercise the option for the additional three submarines soon.

It is understood that the Indian Navy’s leadership is now rethinking Parrikar’s proposal and is expected to ask for three more Kalvari class submarines fitted with DRDO’s AIP. The same AIP will be retrofitted into existing Kalvari class submarines when they come to MDL for a mid-life refit.

While the Indian Navy wants three indigenous nuclear attack submarines to expand its footprint in the Indo-Pacific, there is a strong possibility that India and France may collaborate to export Kalvari or Scorpene submarines to countries such as Indonesia. India’s sea based nuclear deterrent is operational with two nuclear powered nuclear ballistic missile armed submarines already patrolling global waters and a third under fitment

Navy may approach govt for 3 more Kalvari submarines

The fifth diesel attack submarine 1775 tonne INS Vagir was commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar on Monday at MDL in Mumbai and the sixth of the Kalvari class INS Vagsheer is expected to be commissioned later this year or early 2024.

www.hindustantimes.com

Great news.

Scorpene submarine signatures and operational details have already benn made public and are in the hands of the Chinese and Pakistanis.

 

[undercover JIX]

View attachment 913224
In a major milestone for indigenous submarine tech, and a long-standing demand by the Indian Navy, a homeground air-independent propulsion (AIP) system has been cleared for integration on the first Made-in-India Scorpene class submarine INS Kalvari.

In a statement just out, the Indian Ministry of Defence has said, “Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system of DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) will soon be fitted onboard INS Kalvari. An agreement was signed between senior officials of NMRL and Naval Group France in Mumbai on January 23, 2023 to extend cooperation to enter into the detailed design phase for integration of indigenous AIP in the Kalvari class submarines. As part of the agreement, Naval Group France will certify the AIP design for integration in the submarines
View attachment 913225
AIP systems, when fitted on conventional diesel-electric submarines, significantly enhance a submarine’s submerged endurance and therefore its overall stealth. While Scorpene maker Naval Group’s own in-house MESMA AIP system has been on offer ever since the submarine building contract was signed in 2007, India’s DRDO has contended since that time that an imported system will not be required as an in-house AIP is getting off the ground.

To be sure, the DRDO AIP has taken its time to achieve technical maturity, but the fact that it has now been cleared for integration indicates that a highly complex system has been developed indigenously, and crucially without outside help.
View attachment 913226
The MoD statement says, “The AIP has a force multiplier effect on lethality of a diesel electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance by several folds. It has merits in performance compared to other technologies and is unique as the hydrogen is generated onboard. This technology has been successfully developed by NMRL with the support of Indian industry partners. The technology has now reached the stage of maturity for industrialisation. It is worth mentioning that the land-based prototype of the NMRL’s AIP has been tested successfully. This new endeavour will be a significant step towards the detailed design certification of the energy module, which will be performed by NMRL along with Indian industry and design of the platforms impacted by the integration of the indigenous AIP inside the Indian submarine by Naval Group. These actions will seamlessly lead the way to start of localisation and industrialization of AIP including the hull fabrication by the Indian industry for future fitment on-board the submarines.“
View attachment 913227
A diagram of DRDO’s AIP system that will be integrated on INS Kalvari

In December 2020, Naval Group’s India leadership had detailed activity around the milestone that has been announced today. You can read all about that here.

Clearance to the DRDO API comes on the same day that the Indian Navy commissioned into service its fifth Scorpene (Kalvari class) submarine. The lead submarine of the class — INS Kalvari, which will receive the indigenous AIP system — was commissioned into service in 2017. A sixth and final Scorpene submarine under contract will enter Indian naval service later this year or early next.

In 2019, the Indian MoD provided formal approval to a follow-on Project 75-India to built six more submarines under license in India, with a significantly improved version of the Scorpene, sporting air independent propulsion and other systems, one of the contenders.With the lead ship of the class now cleared for an Indian-made API, the Scorpene gets a significant boost in the competition

@Skull and Bones @Raj-Hindustani @VkdIndian @Varunastra @INDIAPOSITIVE @SIPRA

Indian AIP To Be Fitted on 1st Scorpene Submarine - Livefist

In a major milestone for indigenous submarine tech, and a long-standing demand by the Indian Navy, a homeground air-independent propulsion (AIP) system has been cleared for integration on the first Made-in-India Scorpene class submarine INS Kalvari. In a statement just out, the Indian Ministry...

www.livefistdefence.com

DRDO and Naval Group France sign pact to fit indigenous AIP system on Kalvari class submarines

The agreement was signed to extend cooperation to enter into the detailed design phase for the integration of indigenous AIP in the Kalvari class submarines.

www.google.com

Is this a product of India-France collaboration?

If NO, Than I am just interested in the tests conducted before granting operational status. Thanks

 

[Abdul Rehman Majeed]

Is this a product of India-France collaboration?

If NO, Than I am just interested in the tests conducted before granting operational status. Thanks

Indians always test it while operating it.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Is this a product of India-France collaboration?

If NO, Than I am just interested in the tests conducted before granting operational status. Thanks

Given that Navy went ahead with DRDO system over French MESMA, speaks about the endurance and safety.

DRDO tests new Air Independent Propulsion system to be fitted in Scorpenes

The AIP system, once ready, will from 2024-25 onwards, be "retrofitted" into six Scorpene submarines that are being built in India under Project 75

www.business-standard.com

 

[undercover JIX]

Indians always test it while operating it.

LO Tests are always done while operating, in controlled environment.

 

[walterbibikow]

Is this a product of India-France collaboration?

The AIP system is being developed by DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), with support from industry partners L&T and Thermax

 

[undercover JIX]

Given that Navy went ahead with DRDO system over French MESMA, speaks about the endurance and safety.

DRDO tests new Air Independent Propulsion system to be fitted in Scorpenes

The AIP system, once ready, will from 2024-25 onwards, be "retrofitted" into six Scorpene submarines that are being built in India under Project 75

www.business-standard.com

The AIP system is being developed by DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), with support from industry partners L&T and Thermax

Thank you both, but I was looking for some Technical details.

 

[Abdul Rehman Majeed]

Thank you both, but I was looking for some Technical details.

For that you have to setup a call to honey trap the Indians.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Thank you both, but I was looking for some Technical details.

The AIP module DRDO is developing is a 250KW phosphoric acid fuel cell (PACF), which uses phosphoric acid as an electrolyte that reacts with hydrogen (generated from sodium borohydride) and liquid oxygen to generate electricity. The DRDO fuel cell aims to give endurance of up to 14 days to a conventional submarine.

Navy chief examines prototype of system to boost submarines' endurance

In an interview with THE WEEK, DRDO chief had said work on AIP was progressing well

www.theweek.in

 

[undercover JIX]

HMS Tireless nucleart sub of the Britsh Navy.

"Water began to pour down the hatch into the manoeuvring room, shorting out the propulsion control systems and the boat started to sink rapidly. Fortunately, the hatch fell shut under its own weight as the boat stern inclined down and the flood was stopped in time. The men left in the sea survived, although one was trapped in ropes and dragged under, fortunately managing to cut himself free."

In focus: Royal Navy submarine special forces delivery systems | Navy Lookout

www.navylookout.com

@Abdul Rehman Majeed was referring to the following TEST Indian Navy conducted. It was secret test which was made to look like an accident.

Someone Left a Hatch Open and Crippled India’s $2.9 Billion Submarine

Water damage put the submarine out of action for ten months.

www.popularmechanics.com

News article again, but thanks .

 

[Indos]

AIP is expensive in the operation. You need hydrogen to operate the submarine. Better wait for lithiun technology to power submarine