Published: November 14, 2025, 7:08 PM IST

New Delhi/Visakhapatnam: In a significant advancement for India’s naval defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new class of lightweight autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) equipped with advanced drones, sonar units, and sub-surface cameras. The Defence Ministry announced the development on Friday, describing it as a breakthrough in underwater surveillance and threat detection.

The new AUVs are designed to be man-portable, allowing personnel to carry and deploy them in diverse maritime conditions. This flexibility makes them suitable for rapid-response operations, whether for patrolling coastal waters, identifying submerged threats, or conducting mine detection in strategic areas.

Advanced Features and Capabilities

According to the Defence Ministry, these next-generation AUVs are equipped with side-scan sonar units and sub-surface cameras capable of detecting suspicious objects or mine-like hazards in real time. The integration of underwater drones provides additional surveillance capability, enabling the system to map underwater environments efficiently.

What sets this system apart is the incorporation of advanced deep-learning algorithms onboard. These algorithms allow the AUVs to automatically identify, classify, and prioritise underwater targets without the need for constant human supervision. By reducing the reliance on manual monitoring, the technology can significantly shorten mission duration, allowing naval personnel to focus on strategic decision-making rather than routine observation.

The vehicles were designed and developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a DRDO facility based in Visakhapatnam. Officials said that the lightweight design and portability of these AUVs ensure rapid deployment in operational scenarios, which is critical for modern naval missions where response times can determine mission success.

Strategic Implications

Experts suggest that the deployment of these autonomous underwater systems could enhance India’s maritime domain awareness, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region, where naval surveillance is critical for countering threats, including mines and unmanned underwater vehicles operated by adversaries. The ability to detect and classify threats autonomously could also reduce operational risk to human divers and naval personnel.

This development aligns with DRDO’s broader focus on integrating advanced technology into India’s defence ecosystem. In recent months, DRDO has also been in the news for its decision to integrate features from China’s PL-15 air-to-air missile into the Astra Mark-2 missile programme. Analysts noted that the examination of a captured PL-15E missile, which failed to detonate during an encounter with a Pakistani aircraft in Operation Sindoor in May, provided valuable insights that are now being adapted for India’s indigenous missile systems.

Conclusion

The unveiling of these autonomous underwater vehicles marks another milestone in DRDO’s efforts to modernise India’s defence capabilities. With man-portable design, integrated drones, advanced sonar, and AI-powered target recognition, these AUVs are poised to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s operational efficiency and safety.

As regional maritime challenges evolve, such technological innovations could play a crucial role in strengthening India’s deterrence and maritime security posture, reflecting the country’s growing emphasis on autonomous systems and cutting-edge defence research.

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