AIP system

June 26, 2023

Recently, Larsen & Toubro and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed a contract for the realisation of two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for Kalvari (Scorpene) Class of submarines of the Indian Navy.

ABOUT AIR INDEPENDENT PROPULSION (AIP) SYSTEM

AIP is a marine propulsion technology that allows non-nuclear submarines to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen.
AIP is mostly implemented as an auxiliary source, with the traditional diesel engine handling surface propulsion.

Types of Submarines

Conventional or Diesel-electric submarine: They need atmospheric oxygen to run the diesel generator which in turn charges the batteries.

Nuclear Submarine: It is a submarine powered by a nuclear reactor, but not necessarily nuclear-armed. They have considerable performance advantages over conventional submarines.

It allows the submarines to stay for longer hours in water. The submarines need to come to the surface of the water to charge their batteries.
- This is reduced by AIP System.
It decreases the noise levels made by the submarines. This makes it hard to detect the submarines.
Types of AIP: Open-cycle systems, Closed-cycle diesel engines, Closed-cycle steam turbines Stirling cycle engines and Fuel cells.
Indigenous AIP propulsion system by DRDO is a modular system that can be easily configured for any conventional submarine platform.
It relies on the innovative Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell technology.