The Defense Ministry on Monday signed two important contracts worth Rs 2,867 crore for the manufacture of air independent propulsion plugs for the DRDO-AIP system. These contracts have been signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. These two contracts relate to the manufacturing of Air Dependent Propulsion (AIP) Plugs in Indian submarines and integration of Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedoes (EHWT) in Kalvari-class submarines.
The first contract worth Rs 1990 crore has been awarded to Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited for the manufacturing and integration of the AIP plug. This technology is being developed indigenously by DRDO. Proper testing of conventional submarines will be done here, which will further strengthen the self-reliant India campaign. This project is expected to provide employment to about three lakh people.
The second contract has been signed with Naval Group of France for integration of EHWT on Kalvari class-submarines being developed by DRDO, which is worth Rs 877 crore. Integration of EHWT will be a collaborative effort by Indian Navy, DRDO and Naval Group, France.
AIP technology is being developed indigenously by DRDO. The project related to the construction of AIP-Plug and its integration will increase the strength of conventional submarines. These initiatives are an important step towards strengthening the capabilities of the Indian Navy and development of indigenous defense technologies. This will significantly increase the firepower of the Kalvari class submarines of the Indian Navy.