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DRDO, L&T join hands for realisation of Indigenous AIP System for Indian Navy
Industry News- Jun 24,23
Larsen & Toubro and DRDO under contract for realisation will work on Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for Kalvari Class of Submarines of the Indian Navy.
Larsen & Toubro and DRDO signed a contract for the realisation of two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for Kalvari Class of Submarines of the Indian Navy. The contract documents were exchanged between Arun T Ramchandani, Executive Vice President and Head-L&T Defence and PT Rojatkar, Director - Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) in the presence of J D Patil, Member of the Executive Committee of Management and Advisor (Defence & Smart Technologies) to CEO & MD Larsen & Toubro & Senior officials from NMRL and L&T.
These Modules constitute the core of the fuel cell-based AIP System, indigenously developed by the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of DRDO with L&T as the prime industry partner, an association spanning more than a decade. The Energy Modules (EMs) comprising Fuel Cells produce the required power, along with onboard Hydrogen generation. The technology of this indigenous AIP system is a unique one that generates hydrogen on demand thereby obviating the need for carrying hydrogen onboard which is a major safety concern for a submarine. On realisation and integration of these modules in the submarines, India will join an elite club of a handful of nations who have indigenously developed fuel cell-based submarine AIP technology which is critical for increasing the endurance of conventional submarines. It is pertinent to mention here that principally this technology is a green one since the by-product of the reaction is non-polluted water which can be released into the oceans.
Commenting on the development, Ramchandani said, “We are proud to be the longest-serving development partner to DRDO across programs in multiple domains. L&T is privileged to be associated with accomplishing the dream of realising an indigenous AIP system and mark India‘s joining a select group of few nations who have developed the requisite technology. Our commitment to nation-building continues to be as strong as ever and establishes yet another milestone in our journey to fulfill India’s aspirations to become Atmanirbhar in critical technologies.”
L&T is the recipient of Transfer of Technology (ToT) for this DRDO-developed AIP System. The Transfer of Technology documents for the same were handed over to Patil by Rajnath Singh in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff and Navy Chief during Aero India 2021 In Bangalore.
The manufacturing, integration and factory acceptance trials of the EMs will be undertaken in L&T’s AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex at Surat. State-of-the-art infrastructure, best practices at L&T and cutting-edge technology will ensure requisite quality and on-time delivery. The EMs will be supplied for integration into the AIP Plug that will be retrofitted into the submarine.
This project would pave the way for order(s) for AIP Systems for the remaining five Kalvari Class submarines in the coming years. This could also open up possible export opportunities to other countries that operate Scorpene-class submarines.
Larsen & Toubro
DRDO
Kalvari Class
Submarines
Indian Navy
Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules
Arun T Ramchandani
PT Rojatkar
L&T Defence
Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL)
J D Patil
Member of Executive Committee of Management and Advisor
Defence & Smart Technologies
Energy Modules (EMs)
AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex
Surat
Scorpene class submarines
Transfer of Technology (ToT)
Rajnath Singh
Chief of Defence Staff and Navy Chief
Aero India 2021
Bangalor
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