India's indigenous Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for conventional submarines crossed a key milestone on Saturday, October 24, as the 'Setting to Work Phase-2' (STW-2) activity for its Energy Module was inaugurated at Larsen & Toubro's AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex in Hazira, Gujarat, the Ministry of Defence announced, with Defence.in and Economic Samay reporting the event.
Source: Defence.in
The fuel-cell-based system has been developed by the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is designed to let diesel-electric submarines stay submerged far longer by reducing their dependence on atmospheric oxygen; the module generates hydrogen on demand and produces only water as a byproduct, according to the reports.
Source: Economic Samay
Who was present
Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh attended as chief guest virtually, while Indian Navy Vice Admiral B. Sivakumar and DRDO Director General (Naval Systems & Materials) Dr R. Balamuralikrishnan were present at the Hazira facility. Singh congratulated the scientists and industry partners and stressed strict safety standards for hydrogen and fuel-cell systems.
In the next phase, the AIP Energy Module will be energised for power production and put through rigorous testing under Indian Navy protocols. It is scheduled to be handed over to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in early 2027 for integration into a Kalvari-class submarine.
The milestone marks another step in India's push for indigenous defence technology, as the Navy works to extend the underwater endurance and stealth of its conventional submarine fleet.