Giving a major boost to Indian Navy’s submarine capability, the 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.

As per the MoD, 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.

DRDO’s AIP

The AIP has a force multiplier effect on lethality of a diesel electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance by several folds.

The DRDO’s 270-Kilowatt fuel cell-based AIP system uses phosphoric acid as an electrolyte that reacts with hydrogen (generated from sodium borohydride) and liquid oxygen to generate electricity. The fuel cell aims to give endurance of up to 14 days to a conventional submarine. While there are different types of AIP systems being pursued internationally, fuel cell-based AIP of DRDO is unique as the hydrogen is generated onboard. It is also considered as best among all the AIP system. The AIP will be retrofitted into existing submarine hulls by inserting an additional hull section.

On 8th March 2021, DRDO has demonstrated a land-based prototype of Fuel Cell based AIP System. The AIP was operated in endurance mode and max power mode.

DRDO is working to develop a module which has to be fitted on the submarine when it comes. There are industry partners including Larsen & Toubro and Thermax, and the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of DRDO which has developed this.

Paves the way for P-75I

The major roadblock with the project 75I is the lack of operational AIP system. At present Germany and South Korea only has this capability. The South Korean submarine is enhanced version of German HDW class submarine which Indian Navy is also operating. An agreement signed between Naval group and NMRL will pave the way for proving the DRDO’s AIP system in submarine under operational condition. This will truly lead to achieve the Attamnirbharta in the conventional submarine capability. The integration and development of AIP may take 4-5 years, post which this technology can be extended to P-75I submarines.


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