angeldemon_007
SENIOR MEMBER
Indian Navy is looking at upgrading its HDW submarine fleet, the Shishumar class diesel-electric submarines. Commodore (Retd.) Ranjit B Rai a naval analyst avers that No modern Navy can do without submarines that can remain submerged for long periods to maintain stealth. The two options are the expensive nuclear propulsion or Air Independent Propulsion(AIP) for diesel boats. The Indian Navy is looking to install an AIP plug and upgrade the combat suite for its HDW 1500 submarines going in for long refit in a modernisation programme and have reviewed AIP systems of the French MESMA that works on ethanol, German Fuel Cell and Kokums Sterling Engine that Singapore has selected, and DRDO has been working on an indigenous AIP. France, USA and UK have no diesel submarines in their fleet, nor operate AIP.
DRDO has already successfully developed a AIP prototype and is building a land based AIP system for demonstration purpose. One of the key differentiator of DRDO AIP is the fuel and zero discharge in the water. The two main issues of AIP revolves around the amount of fuel being carried around and discharges which increases the infra red signature.
The IKL Gabler HDW 1500 submarines were built by the Mazagon Docks Limited and were commissioned between 1986 and 1994. The four sumbarines INS Shishumar, INS Shankush, INS Shalki, INS Shanku were subsequently upgraded with German Atlas Electronix suites, periscopes and Rhode Schwarz communications.
:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::
DRDO has already successfully developed a AIP prototype and is building a land based AIP system for demonstration purpose. One of the key differentiator of DRDO AIP is the fuel and zero discharge in the water. The two main issues of AIP revolves around the amount of fuel being carried around and discharges which increases the infra red signature.
The IKL Gabler HDW 1500 submarines were built by the Mazagon Docks Limited and were commissioned between 1986 and 1994. The four sumbarines INS Shishumar, INS Shankush, INS Shalki, INS Shanku were subsequently upgraded with German Atlas Electronix suites, periscopes and Rhode Schwarz communications.
:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::