Technology

India-France Labs Team Up for the Ultimate Submarine Tech

BY SOFREP News Team

India and France have recently joined forces to develop the ultimate submarine technology.

Vagir - Y11879 the fifth Kalvari class submarine during its sea trials (Source: Indian Navy/Wikimedia Commons)

India and France have recently joined forces to develop the ultimate submarine technology. This collaboration aims to integrate fuel cell-based air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems into India’s Kalvari-class submarines. INS Vagir, the fifth of six Kalvari-class submarines, was launched in October 2020 as part of this collaboration. This blog post will outline the progress made so far, with an emphasis on the benefits to India’s Navy.

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DRDO’s Partnership with Naval Group France

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has partnered with Naval Group France to create the world’s most advanced submarine technology. This partnership has allowed for the successful integration of AIP systems into Kalvari-class submarines. Larsen & Toubro and Thermax are two major prime contractors for such AIP systems in India. Additionally, DRDO has been researching strategic materials that can be used by the Indian Navy to enhance its capabilities across various missions.

The Fuel Cell-Based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System is a revolutionary addition to the Kalvari-class submarines. This technology increases the vessel’s underwater endurance and overall stealthiness. AIP systems use oxygen stored in tanks and fuel cells to generate electricity and propel the submarine through the water. This eliminates the need for snorkels or other surfacing means, thereby increasing its autonomy and reducing its acoustic signature.

The benefits of this technology are vast. The primary use is increased tank capacity due to the decrease in weight caused by eliminating bulky batteries and diesel engines. This allows more room to store supplies, such as food and ammunition, thus enabling more extended missions without requiring mid-mission refueling or re-stocking. Additionally, due to their silent operation, AIP systems allow submarines to remain undetected for hours on end which can be invaluable in reconnaissance operations or naval warfare.

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Another significant benefit of AIP systems is increased maneuverability and speed underwater. Traditional diesel-electric propulsion systems are limited by their operational depth; however, with AIP systems, subs can reach deeper depths and use faster currents that may not be accessible at shallower depths. Likewise, because there is no need for air intake when using these propulsion systems, submarines can remain submerged indefinitely, allowing them to move at higher speeds over extended periods.

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The Fuel Cell-Based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System provides the following:

  • Several critical advantages for India’s Kalvari class submarines include increased autonomy and stealthiness due to reduced reliance on surface snorkels or diesel.
  • Greater room for carrying supplies, improved maneuverability, and speed underwater.
  • Extended operational depths that allow access to faster currents beneath the surface.

The successful integration of this revolutionary technology into India’s Navy is undoubtedly a significant achievement that will undoubtedly have wide-reaching implications for naval warfare worldwide.

DRDO’s Research on Strategic Materials for the Navy 

Developing advanced materials that meet the stringent requirements of defense applications is a challenging task that DRDO is tackling head-on. The agency’s researchers are developing new high-performance materials and composites that can be used in naval vessels such as submarines. These include carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites, which offer superior strength and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for various applications in defense vessels. DRDO is also researching novel low-friction coatings for ship hulls that can reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.

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Apart from these materials, DRDO is also researching ways to reduce noise levels generated by combat ships and submarines. This is done through acoustic dampening techniques such as using special acoustic absorbing sheeting or foam insulation to reduce noise from engine exhausts and other sources within a ship. Such technologies can help improve stealth capabilities in naval vessels, allowing them to remain undetected during operations.

The work being done by DRDO in developing advanced materials will go a long way toward enhancing the capabilities of India’s Navy. Using higher-performance materials will allow ships to operate more effectively and efficiently while reducing costs associated with maintaining existing vessels. In addition, research into acoustic dampening techniques could provide significant advantages for stealth operations conducted by Indian naval ships in rugged terrain or contested waters. Ultimately, these efforts will contribute significantly to India’s maritime superiority and help ensure peace and security throughout the region.

Launch of INS Vagir: India’s Fifth Kalvari-class Submarine

INS Vagir is a diesel-electric attack submarine constructed and designed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., along with assistance from Naval Group France. It has advanced stealth technology to remain undetected while underwater and features guided torpedoes/anti-ship missiles as offensive weapons. Integrating AIP systems into this submarine class will further strengthen its capabilities when it comes to long-range deployments or extended missions in underwater environments.

The Indian Navy’s INS Vagir is one of the stealthiest submarines in the world, thanks to its innovative and advanced stealth technology. This technology enables it to remain invisible when submerged, making it difficult for opponents to detect. Its ability to evade detection even further increases its offensive capabilities. In addition, INS Vagir is equipped with guided torpedoes/anti-ship missiles, which can be used as a last line of defense against enemy ships or as an offensive weapon. These missiles can accurately target enemy vessels from both short and long distances and are fitted with warheads that can cause significant damage upon detonation.

INS Vagir also features an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, which allows it to operate underwater without needing access to the surface for a periodic recharge of batteries. This system uses fuel cells that produce electricity from the chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen molecules in water, providing power for the submarine without having to surface. This technology has enabled the vessel to undertake extended missions in underwater environments without hindrance (Naval Technology, 2020).

Given its cutting-edge technologies, INS Vagir can perform complex operations such as gathering intelligence or surveillance in discreet places regardless of environmental conditions. Moreover, its high degree of secrecy and its ability to stay submerged for long periods make it ideal for covert operations such as sabotage or targeted strikes against enemies. As such, it is considered an invaluable asset that can help enhance India’s maritime capabilities in conflict or other pressing situations.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.’s Role in the Collaboration between India and France

The collaboration between India and France in developing submarine technology is a significant step towards advancing the capabilities of Indian Navy vessels and warships. With INS Vagir launched successfully, future refits with AIP systems will provide even more advantages for Indian naval ships in terms of long-range deployments or extended missions in underwater environments. All these efforts demonstrate a commitment from both sides toward achieving excellence in maritime security operations through technological advancements.

The Indian Navy definitely gains significant advantages from future refits with AIP systems, enabling its vessels and warships to undertake longer-range deployments or extended missions in underwater environments. AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) systems would also make submarines more self-sustainable by allowing them to remain submerged for prolonged periods without needing a support vessel. This is made possible by using fuel cells and diesel generators, which provide energy without producing carbon dioxide – making them highly efficient and reliable.

AIP technology is becoming increasingly crucial for navies worldwide due to its capability to extend their submarines’ operational range and provide more excellent stealth capabilities. The collaboration between India and France in developing AIP systems will immensely benefit Indian navy vessels. It will improve their submarine operations and enhance their overall strategic mobility and allow them to conduct long-term surveillance or clandestine transport missions with greater ease.

Also, using AIP systems not only enhances the potency of Indian naval vessels but also improves safety levels by increasing their durability against potential threats. By remaining submerged for extended periods, these vessels can evade detection from hostile forces while avoiding potential risks posed by surface threats like anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Thus, equipping Indian naval vessels with advanced AIP systems would make them better equipped to deal with hazardous maritime scenarios such as illegal fishing or piracy in international waters.

We want to lift our hats off to this partnership. Refitting Indian naval vessels with AIP systems would significantly impact their strategic capability and capacity to operate in hostile oceanic environments. 

In addition to enhancing submarines’ range and stealth capabilities, such refits would also improve safety levels by providing greater defensive measures against surface threats such as ASW. 

Through this collaboration between India and France, both sides are working together towards achieving excellence in maritime security operations through technological advancements – a goal that promises great rewards for India’s Navy in terms of improved performance and long-term sustainability.

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