India’s Defense Ministry signed two important deals to significantly expand its submarine fleet. While one deal was signed with France’s Naval Group, the larger of the two contracts was signed with Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
The total value of both the contracts is Rs 2,867 crore. While the Rs 877 crore contract with France’s Naval Group pertains to more advanced torpedo technology, the nearly Rs 1,990 crore contract with Mazagon Dock pertains to DRDO’s new indigenous submarine propulsion system.
“The Ministry of Defense has signed two contracts worth approximately Rs 2,867 crore for the manufacturing of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for DRDO-AIP system and its integration on Indian submarines and Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT) Kalvari. On board the class submarines,” a statement from the ministry read.
Tackle Naval Group of France
This agreement is regarding Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo or EHWT.
According to the Defense Ministry, the deal for integration of EHWT in the Kalvari class submarines will be a joint effort of the Indian Navy, DRDO and Naval Group, France. “This will significantly enhance the strike capability of the Kalvari class submarines of the Indian Navy,” the Defense Ministry statement said.
According to the Naval Group, the Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo, also known as the F21 Heavy Weight Torpedo, “successfully integrates the mastery of aluminum silver oxide technology, which significantly extends the range of the torpedo and allows much higher speed. This makes it a much more lethal weapon than other torpedoes”.
Another major feature of this torpedo is that “it is designed in such a way that it can never explode in a submarine, even if there is a fire on the platform, or if it is accidentally dropped. “
deal with mazgaon dock
The agreement is about an Advanced Air Independent Propulsion or AIP system. The AIP technology is being developed indigenously by the Defense Research and Development Organization or DRDO.
According to a Defense Ministry statement, “This project pertains to the manufacturing of AIP-Plug and its integration. It will enhance the endurance of conventional submarines and contribute significantly to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. It will generate employment of approximately three lakh. ” Man’s day.”
Air Independent Propulsion is a maritime technology that allows conventional or non-nuclear submarines to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen. In other words, it allows a conventional submarine to remain submerged in deep water for long periods of time without having to surface or use its snorkel.
In submarine terminology a snorkel is a pipe that can reach the sea surface while the submarine is at periscope depth to allow proper airflow to the diesel engines. An AIP plug can augment or replace diesel-electric propulsion systems of non-nuclear submarines. It is also called air independent power because it allows it to remain underwater for longer periods of time.
Both the agreements are under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, which means the propulsion system as well as the torpedoes will be manufactured in India.
