Mazagon Dock bags ₹1,990-crore AIP deal from defence ministry for submarine modernisation

The ministry of defence on Monday signed two contracts totaling ₹2,867 crore to enhance the operational capabilities of Indian submarines.

The agreements include the construction and integration of an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for the DRDO-AIP system and the integration of Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedoes (EHWT) onboard Kalvari-Class submarines.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) secured the ₹1,990-crore contract for constructing the AIP Plug and its integration. Meanwhile, the ₹877-crore contract for integrating the EHWT, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was awarded to France’s Naval Group.

The DRDO-developed AIP technology, critical for enhancing the endurance of conventional submarines, is a major step towards self-reliance under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, the defence ministry said in a statement, adding that the project is expected to generate around three lakh man-days of employment.

"The integration of EHWT will be a collaborative effort by Indian Navy, DRDO and Naval Group, France. It would greatly augment the firepower capabilities of Kalvari Class submarines of the Indian Navy," it said.

The K9 Vajra-T, originally designed for desert warfare, has been adapted for high-altitude operations in challenging terrains like Ladakh. The new batch of artillery guns will enhance the Army’s operational readiness, building on the success of 100 units inducted under a 2017 contract.

The defence ministry also recently signed a ₹13,500-crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 12 Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The jets, with 62.6% indigenous content, will be manufactured at HAL’s Nasik division, further boosting the domestic defence industry.