A new era in Indian naval defense beckons as DRDO embarks on a preliminary study for an indigenous conventional submarine, promising enhanced capabilities and self-reliance.
DRDO’s Audacious Initiative
In a significant stride towards self-reliance in naval defense, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to design and develop an indigenous conventional submarine under Project-76. This landmark initiative follows a green light from the Ministry of Defence to conduct a preliminary study that will determine the project’s contours. The study, expected to last a year, will pave the way for a formal proposal to be presented to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for project sanction.
Project-76: A Legacy of Innovation Project-76 builds upon DRDO’s legacy of innovation, continuing the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project. This project has already yielded the Arihant series of nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) and is currently progressing towards the development of nuclear-powered submarines (SSN).
Empowering Indigenous Capabilities Project-76 envisions a substantial increase in indigenous content, encompassing weapons, missiles, combat management systems, sonars, communications, Electronic Warfare suites, masts, and periscopes. This aligns with the Indian Navy’s 30-year submarine building program, which aims to design and build conventional submarines indigenously after the P-75I program.
Air Independent Propulsion: A Game-Changer A notable achievement in DRDO’s submarine development journey is the design and development of an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) module. This module is poised to revolutionize conventional submarines by enabling them to remain submerged for extended periods, thus enhancing their endurance and stealth capabilities. The first Scorpene-class submarine, Kalvari, is slated for a refit in 2025, during which the AIP module will be integrated. This collaborative effort with Naval Group, the original manufacturer of Scorpenes, is expected to be completed by 2027 or 2028.
A Technological Marvel The AIP module is currently undergoing rigorous testing on shore, utilizing a simulated hull to replicate near-sea conditions. Once integrated into a submarine, the module’s reliability will be the primary focus. DRDO’s AIP module is based on phosphoric acid, a readily available resource, and features a stack of fuel cells generating hydrogen. Each fuel cell currently produces 13.5 kW of power, with plans to scale this up to 20 kW to meet the requirements of future submarines like those under Project-76.
A Promising Future The final configuration of the AIP module will comprise a stack of 24 fuel cells, delivering an output that exceeds the required power to ensure redundancy and optimize performance. This technological marvel promises to significantly enhance the capabilities of Indian submarines, marking a new era in naval defense.
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