DRDO's Indigenous Air Independent Propulsion Energy Module Begins Setting-to-Work Phase-2 for Indian Navy Submarines

Key facts

• The Setting to Work Phase-2 (STW-2) activity of the indigenous Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system Energy Module, developed by Naval Materials Research Laboratory, DRDO, was inaugurated on October 24, 2026 at Larsen and Toubro's AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex in Hazira, Gujarat.
• The AIP system enhances underwater endurance of diesel-electric submarines by reducing dependence on atmospheric oxygen.
• Defence Secretary and Chairman DRDO Rajesh Kumar Singh attended the inauguration virtually as Chief Guest, while Chief of Materiel Vice Admiral B Sivakumar and Director General Naval Systems & Materials Dr R Balamuralikrishnan attended in person.
• In the next phase, the AIP Energy Module will be energised for power production and tested as per Indian Navy protocols before handover to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited for integration on a Kalvari-class submarine in early 2027.