DRDO’s AUV for Anti-Mine Missions.
India DRDO’s Man Portable AUV Anti-Mine Vehicle: In a significant boost to India’s underwater defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully developed a new generation of Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs) designed specifically for naval mine countermeasure missions. The achievement marks a major step toward the deployment of intelligent, networked, and rapidly responsive systems for underwater threat detection.
Developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, the MP-AUV system consists of multiple small, portable underwater vehicles equipped with advanced sensors and onboard artificial intelligence. Each vehicle carries a Side Scan Sonar and underwater cameras as primary payloads, enabling real-time detection and classification of Mine-Like Objects (MLOs) across varied seabed environments.
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Deep Learning for Underwater Battlefield Awareness
A standout feature of the new MP-AUVs is their deep learning-based target recognition algorithms, which autonomously classify objects detected during underwater scans. This high degree of onboard intelligence drastically reduces operator intervention, allowing missions to be executed faster and with greater accuracy.
According to NSTL scientists, the adoption of AI-driven recognition enhances mission efficiency by eliminating the need for continuous remote supervision, while also minimizing human exposure to hazardous minefields.
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Sagar Defence’s UUV.
Networked Capability Through Underwater Acoustic Communication
The newer generation of MP-AUVs also marks a leap in underwater communication. DRDO has integrated a robust acoustic communication system that allows AUVs to exchange data with one another during missions. This inter-AUV communication ensures seamless coordination, improved situational awareness, and higher mission reliability.
Officials involved in the project emphasized that this networked architecture allows multiple vehicles to function like a cohesive team—sharing detection data, updating mission plans, and covering search areas more efficiently.
Field Trials and Industry Participation
The system recently completed a series of field trials at the NSTL facility and adjoining harbour areas. These trials validated key operational parameters, ranging from autonomous navigation and target detection to communication stability and mission endurance.
DRDO reported that the trials successfully met all critical mission objectives, bringing the project closer to operational readiness. Multiple industry partners contributed to the system’s realization, and production is expected to begin within the next few months.
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Leadership Endorsement and Strategic Implications
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, lauded the NSTL team for achieving what he described as a “major milestone” in India’s underwater defence technology.
He noted that the MP-AUVs represent a deployable, intelligent, and networked solution for naval mine countermeasure operations, offering rapid response capability with reduced operational risk and logistical footprint. As mine warfare continues to play a critical role in securing maritime zones, such advancements are expected to significantly strengthen the Indian Navy’s preparedness and tactical advantage.
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A Step Toward Future Underwater Autonomy
The development of the MP-AUVs aligns with India’s larger vision of indigenizing defence technologies and expanding autonomous systems within the armed forces. With production set to commence soon, DRDO’s latest innovation may pave the way for more advanced, AI-enabled underwater platforms capable of executing complex missions in contested maritime environments.
As the Indian Navy modernizes its underwater warfare capabilities, these man-portable AUVs could become vital assets—ensuring safer naval operations, quicker threat neutralization, and greater endurance in mine-infested waters.
