SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defense Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) ambitious Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, developed specifically for the Indian Navy’s Kalvari-class submarines, appears likely to miss its scheduled 2025 installation target due to delays in ground-based testing. Sources close to the project informed idrw.org that several critical tests for the AIP system are still pending, casting uncertainty over its timeline.
The AIP system, designed to enhance underwater endurance and stealth capabilities, was initially planned for integration into the first of the Scorpène-class submarines, INS Kalvari, during its upcoming refit scheduled for 2025. However, delays in testing mean that the integration may now be pushed to 2026 or to the Second Kalvari Class submarine.
The planned AIP upgrade was meant to improve operational range and endurance by allowing the submarines to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing, which is critical for stealth operations. This technology is a key asset for modern navies, providing a significant tactical advantage by reducing a submarine’s need to expose itself while recharging batteries.
DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) developed the AIP system using fuel-cell technology, which produces power by combining hydrogen and oxygen, thereby reducing reliance on external air sources. DRDO chairman Samir V. Kamat inaugurated an AIP Integration and Testing facility earlier this year at the L&T AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex. This facility is expected to play a crucial role in manufacturing and testing the AIP system before its installation at MDL.
The program director of AIP at NMRL, Suman Roy Choudhury, had previously confirmed plans for the AIP to be fitted on INS Kalvari in September 2025 during its first major refit. However, due to the pending ground-based tests, sources now suggest that the timeline will likely shift to 2026, depending on when the testing facility becomes fully operational.
Currently, the absence of AIP in the Kalvari-class submarines limits their underwater endurance compared to potential adversaries. The inclusion of AIP would bridge this gap, ensuring that Indian submarines remain competitive in both endurance and stealth—two essential factors in modern naval warfare.
Despite the delay, DRDO’s AIP development is a significant achievement for India’s defence technology sector, moving the country closer to self-reliance in critical military capabilities. The organization has faced challenges but continues to work toward bringing the project to fruition with the support of private-sector partners like L&T.
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