Mazagon Dock bags Rs 1,990 crore Defence Ministry contract to enhance submarine endurance

Major shipyard Mazagon Dock has bagged a contract from the Defence Ministry worth around Rs 1,990 crore for the construction of a Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for DRDO as well as its integration, a statement from the ministry said on December 30.

The project involves construction of AIP-Plug and its integration, and will enhance the endurance of conventional submarines, contributing towards 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The AIPs are to be retrofitted on the Scorpene submarine, Mazagon Dock has said. It added that the Navy is keen to introduce AIP during the first refit of the first submarine, expected in 2025.

AIP acts as a force multiplier on a diesel-electric submarine, as it enhances the submerged endurance of the boat by several folds. Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) allows submarines to operate underwater without needing to surface for oxygen. Several non-nuclear vessels can now operate without using atmospheric oxygen because of this advancement in propulsion. DRDO has developed this technology with the support of industry partners L&T and Thermax.

The government release said the submarine contract would generate employment worth nearly three lakh man days.