Defence ministry signs Rs 3,000 crore contract for AIP and torpedoes for Kalvari class submarines

New Delhi: The Defence Ministry on Monday signed two contracts worth nearly Rs 3,000 crore to equip six Kalvari-class submarines with home grown air-independent propulsion systems for longer underwater stay and arm them with heavy duty torpedoes.

One contract worth around Rs 1,990 crore was inked with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai for construction of the air-independent propulsion plug and its integration.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the AIP would allow the submarines to stay under water for more than two weeks at a stretch, sources said.

The second agreement for integration of electronic heavyweight torpedoes being developed by DRDO, was signed with Naval Group, France – the original equipment manufacturer for the Kalvari (Scorpene) class submarines - at an approximate cost of Rs 877 crore.

With technology support from France, India has constructed six conventional Kalvari-class submarines, out of which five have been commissioned in the Indian Navy in the last seven years.

The sixth one, Vagsheer, is on trial and likely to be inducted at a ceremony in Mumbai by the middle of January.

“The integration of AIP technology will enhance the endurance of conventional submarines whereas the torpedo, a collaborative effort between Indian Navy, DRDO and Naval Group, will augment the submarines’ firepower,” a defence ministry official said.

Currently 62 naval ships and submarines are under various stages of construction, and the navy plans to induct at least one platform every month over the next 12 months, as it hopes to add another 100 ships and submarines to the fleet by 2035.

The defence ministry is at the final stage of negotiations with the Naval Group for construction of another three additional Scorpene class submarines at Mazagaon dock as a follow-on order to the P-75 under which six boats were constructed.

Two other frontline warships, guided missile destroyer Surat and stealth frigate Nilgiri would also be commissioned on the same day.