A contract for the development of two air-independent propulsion (AIP) modules for the Kalvari class of submarines of the Indian Navy was signed on Thursday by the construction conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
According to the company, L&T’s A M Naik Heavy Engineering Complex in Surat would be where the energy modules are manufactured and tested.
The Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of the DRDO created the fuel cell-based AIP system on an indigenous basis, and the energy modules make up its core.
The company said the energy modules will be integrated into the AIP plug that will be retrofitted into the Kalvari submarine. The project could lead to further orders for AIP Systems for the remaining five Kalvari Class submarines in the coming years. “Possible export opportunities to other countries that operate Scorpene class submarines” could open up, the company added.
L&T has been the recipient of the Transfer of Technology (ToT) for the DRDO-developed AIP System.
