Navy to become more self-reliant with indigenous air system for submarines

Navy to become more self-reliant with indigenous air system for submarines

IN A major breakthrough towards achieving self reliance in critical underwater technology, Indian defence scientists have developed the Air Independence Propulsion (AIP) system that will help Naval submarines to remain submerged for much longer, reducing the need for the vessels to surface for breathing air.

Conventional submarines of the Indian Navy fleet were lacking this critical technology making them vulnerable as they need to surface at regular interval to suck the air (oxygen) which is required to keep submarines batteries running. On the other hand, submarines of the arch rival Pakistani Navy, mosdy procured from France, are equipped with the AIP. Sources in Defence Research    and    Development Organisation (DKDO) that achieved this significant success, told UNI that AlPwonldbein form of a fuel cell which will replace the diesel component of the conventional submarines. Sources said the system would be put to test on Scorpene submarines being built in Magagon Dock Limited (Ml)l.), Mumbai. with the help of France.

"Last two of the six Scorpene submarine will becquippcd with indigenous AlP system," sources said, adding that next six sub-marinestobebuilt in Indian shipyard under technology transfer from a foreign vendor shall also have this critical component.

The All' turns a conventional submarine into a vessel which is very similar to nuclear powered one, as they also need not to surface to breath the oxygen.

Indian defencescientistsstarted working on the project four yeareago, which has entered into

final stage now, sources said.

The Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister Arunjaitley while clearing the Project-751 under which next six submarine arc to bebuilt through "Make in India" route, also has given an in-principie approval that indigenous All* system will be fitted on these future vessels. The project one of the most ambitious programmes of India that will cost around Rs 50,000 crores.

Submarine arm of die Navy has been facing constrains in the recent past as most of the Soviet era built submarines operating in the Indian Navy Heel haveouilived their original life. Couple of such submarines were involved in some serious accidents resulting in loss of precious lives too.

Posted in: News 2014