Latest news with #INSKalvari
India.com
04-08-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Rs 230000000000: Huge amount of money may go waste as India fails to upgrade its diesel-electric submarine; India Navy is now...
India's nuclear-powered submarines. (File) New Delhi: In a matter of concern for the Indian Navy, India's plan to enhance the stealth and underwater endurance of its Scorpene-class submarines has been delayed as DRDO's Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system is still not ready. Notably, INS Kalvari, currently under refit, will not get the upgrade due to this setback, making it vulnerable to the submarine hunting radars of China and Pakistan in the Indian ocean. Why next AIP Fitment is now pushed to 2026 The AIP project, approved in 2014, has missed multiple deadlines and is now expected to be ready by mid-2026 for INS Khanderi. Meanwhile, all six Scorpene submarines under Project-75 have been inducted, but lack key stealth capabilities. Notably, the Indian Navy has inducted six Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines under Project-75, built by Mazagon Dock with French collaboration at a cost of over Rs 23,000 crore. Also, INS Vagsheer was the latest to join in January 2025. However, the absence of advanced stealth features poses a high operational risk to the Indian Navy in case of a naval conflict. India Navy Chief visits headquarters of Japan's Maritime Self Defence Force Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi was apprised of Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force's (JMSDF) organisational structure, objectives and operational role during his visit to the Fleet Headquarters and the Maritime Operations Centre in Tokyo, on Saturday. The engagements during the ongoing visit to Japan by the CNS lays the groundwork for deeper cooperation and mutual understanding in common maritime interests between India and Japan. 'Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, CNS, visited JMSDF's Fleet Headquarters and the Maritime Operations Centre – the nerve centre of Japan's maritime domain awareness. He was briefed on the organisation of JMSDF as also the objectives and roles of the Service. The visit and interactions in Japan pave the way for enhanced mutual understanding in key areas of shared maritime interests,' the Indian Navy posted on X. (With inputs from agencies)
Economic Times
04-08-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
DRDO's eight-year delay hits Indian submarines while Pakistan gains lead underwater
INS Kalvari, India's first Scorpene-class submarine built with French collaboration, is completing a routine maintenance refit at Mumbai's naval dockyard. But one crucial upgrade will be missing. The vessel will not be retrofitted with the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) plug, as originally planned. Defence ministry sources told The Times of India that the DRDO-developed AIP system is still not ready for operational use. This system was supposed to extend the underwater endurance and stealth of the Navy's diesel-electric submarines. "The fuel cell-based AIP system developed by DRDO's Naval Materials Research Lab, which has L&T as the prime industry partner, is still not yet operationally available. Hopefully, it should be ready by the time the second Scorpene (INS Khanderi) comes for her scheduled normal maintenance refit in mid-2026," a source told AIP programme, sanctioned in 2014 with a budget of ₹270 crore, was originally meant to be completed by June 2017. Eight years on, it's still not Independent Propulsion changes how long a submarine can remain underwater. While diesel-electric submarines need to surface or snorkel every few days to recharge batteries, AIP-equipped vessels can stay submerged for up to two weeks. This makes them much harder to detect and significantly boosts their tactical capabilities. Nuclear submarines are even more capable, with virtually unlimited underwater endurance, but they are far fewer in number and serve different strategic 23 July, MDL and Naval Group finally signed an agreement for AIP integration on the Scorpene submarines. The process, known as 'jumboisation', involves cutting open the submarine's hull, inserting the AIP module, and welding it back a precise and delicate operation. Once the AIP system becomes available, each submarine will need to go through this complex refit then, the operational gap remains the pipeline are plans to build three more Scorpene submarines for ₹38,000 crore and six next-generation diesel-electric submarines under Project-75I for ₹70,000 crore. These would come with both AIP systems and land-attack cruise being critical for future capability, neither of these projects has been finalised or signed off next generation of Scorpene submarines will be bigger, with nearly double the mission duration of the current batch. Design changes will include larger crew accommodations, more storage for food, water, oil, and better sanitary capacity will more than double. The new submarines are also being designed to accommodate additional weapons in future, as long as they fit within existing torpedo AIP systems are still out of reach, these upcoming subs will have modernised electric propulsion motors. These are expected to lower energy use and simplify diesel generators will be sourced from a new manufacturer, selected for improved industrial support and after-sales service. This shift could reduce fuel use by around 20 percent and lower vacuum buildup while boost stealth, the new design also includes measures to reduce infrared signatures, overall gas emissions, and the visual upgrades, if executed, will translate to greater range, endurance, and mission meanwhile, is on track to induct eight Yuan-class (also known as Hangor-class) submarines from China. All of them will come fitted with AIP systems. These additions represent a major capability jump and will alter the undersea balance in the already possesses the world's largest navy, which includes more than 50 diesel-electric and 10 nuclear-powered has inducted six Scorpene-class submarines under Project-75, built by Mazagon Docks Ltd (MDL) in partnership with France's Naval Group, at a cost of over ₹23,000 crore. The latest, INS Vagsheer, was commissioned in January this the rest of India's conventional submarine fleet includes seven Russian Kilo-class and four German HDW submarines, most of which are over three decades old. These boats, while still operational, face increasing maintenance challenges and are less capable by modern also has two operational nuclear-powered submarines with ballistic missiles, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, with a third, INS Aridhaman, expected to be commissioned this submarine programme is moving, but not fast enough. With adversaries pushing forward, delays in indigenous technologies and defence procurement are putting the Navy at a longer it takes to bridge this gap, the harder it becomes to maintain a credible underwater deterrent. The numbers alone are no longer enough. Capability, endurance, and modern systems now matter more than ever.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DRDO's eight-year delay hits Indian submarines while Pakistan gains lead underwater
INS Kalvari , India's first Scorpene-class submarine built with French collaboration, is completing a routine maintenance refit at Mumbai's naval dockyard. But one crucial upgrade will be missing. The vessel will not be retrofitted with the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) plug, as originally planned. Defence ministry sources told The Times of India that the DRDO-developed AIP system is still not ready for operational use. This system was supposed to extend the underwater endurance and stealth of the Navy's diesel-electric submarines. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Healthcare healthcare Technology Data Science MBA MCA others Operations Management Product Management Data Analytics Public Policy Project Management Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing Degree PGDM Design Thinking Data Science Management Others Finance CXO Cybersecurity Leadership Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details "The fuel cell-based AIP system developed by DRDO's Naval Materials Research Lab, which has L&T as the prime industry partner, is still not yet operationally available. Hopefully, it should be ready by the time the second Scorpene (INS Khanderi) comes for her scheduled normal maintenance refit in mid-2026," a source told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The AIP programme, sanctioned in 2014 with a budget of ₹270 crore, was originally meant to be completed by June 2017. Eight years on, it's still not ready. What AIP means for submarine warfare Air Independent Propulsion changes how long a submarine can remain underwater. While diesel-electric submarines need to surface or snorkel every few days to recharge batteries, AIP-equipped vessels can stay submerged for up to two weeks. This makes them much harder to detect and significantly boosts their tactical capabilities. Live Events Nuclear submarines are even more capable, with virtually unlimited underwater endurance, but they are far fewer in number and serve different strategic roles. On 23 July, MDL and Naval Group finally signed an agreement for AIP integration on the Scorpene submarines. The process, known as 'jumboisation', involves cutting open the submarine's hull, inserting the AIP module, and welding it back together. It's a precise and delicate operation. Once the AIP system becomes available, each submarine will need to go through this complex refit individually. Until then, the operational gap remains wide. Planned upgrades await final nod In the pipeline are plans to build three more Scorpene submarines for ₹38,000 crore and six next-generation diesel-electric submarines under Project-75I for ₹70,000 crore. These would come with both AIP systems and land-attack cruise missiles. Despite being critical for future capability, neither of these projects has been finalised or signed off yet. New Scorpenes to feature major design improvements The next generation of Scorpene submarines will be bigger, with nearly double the mission duration of the current batch. Design changes will include larger crew accommodations, more storage for food, water, oil, and better sanitary facilities. Weapons capacity will more than double. The new submarines are also being designed to accommodate additional weapons in future, as long as they fit within existing torpedo tubes. While AIP systems are still out of reach, these upcoming subs will have modernised electric propulsion motors. These are expected to lower energy use and simplify maintenance. The diesel generators will be sourced from a new manufacturer, selected for improved industrial support and after-sales service. This shift could reduce fuel use by around 20 percent and lower vacuum buildup while snorkelling. To boost stealth, the new design also includes measures to reduce infrared signatures, overall gas emissions, and the visual profile. These upgrades, if executed, will translate to greater range, endurance, and mission flexibility. Pakistan accelerates underwater fleet modernisation Pakistan, meanwhile, is on track to induct eight Yuan-class (also known as Hangor-class) submarines from China. All of them will come fitted with AIP systems. These additions represent a major capability jump and will alter the undersea balance in the region. China already possesses the world's largest navy, which includes more than 50 diesel-electric and 10 nuclear-powered submarines. India's current fleet: Ageing and underpowered India has inducted six Scorpene-class submarines under Project-75, built by Mazagon Docks Ltd (MDL) in partnership with France's Naval Group, at a cost of over ₹23,000 crore. The latest, INS Vagsheer, was commissioned in January this year. However, the rest of India's conventional submarine fleet includes seven Russian Kilo-class and four German HDW submarines, most of which are over three decades old. These boats, while still operational, face increasing maintenance challenges and are less capable by modern standards. India also has two operational nuclear-powered submarines with ballistic missiles, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, with a third, INS Aridhaman, expected to be commissioned this year. India's submarine programme is moving, but not fast enough. With adversaries pushing forward, delays in indigenous technologies and defence procurement are putting the Navy at a disadvantage. The longer it takes to bridge this gap, the harder it becomes to maintain a credible underwater deterrent. The numbers alone are no longer enough. Capability, endurance, and modern systems now matter more than ever.
