Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has commenced production of the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) plug for Scorpene-class submarines of the Indian Navy. The plate-cutting ceremony for the AIP project took place on March 18, 2025, at MDL’s facility in Mumbai.
The AIP plug is set to be integrated into Scorpene submarines under the P75 project during scheduled normal refits. The event was attended by Biju George, Director (Shipbuilding) with Additional Charge of Chairman and Managing Director, along with representatives from the Indian Navy and senior MDL officials.
In December 2024, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth approximately INR 20 billion with MDL for the construction of the AIP plug and its integration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed AIP system onboard Indian submarines. This technology is expected to enhance the endurance of India’s conventional submarines by allowing them to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing.
Additionally, DRDO Chairperson Samir Kamat announced in September 2024 that the Scorpene submarines would be equipped with AIP technology by 2026, marking a significant milestone in India’s submarine development program.
MDL, in partnership with German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp, has also emerged as the sole contender for a USD 5 billion project to build six advanced conventional submarines for the Indian Navy. This development follows successful field trials of their proposed submarines, with commercial negotiations expected to commence soon.
These initiatives are part of India’s broader efforts to modernize its naval capabilities amid increasing strategic challenges in the Indian Ocean region.