DRDO develops new-gen man-portable autonomous underwater vehicles for mine countermeasure missions
New Delhi – On November 14, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that a new generation of Man‑Portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP‑AUVs) has been successfully built by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam. The MP‑AUVs are designed for quick deployment and can operate autonomously in the shallow seas and near‑shore areas where naval mine threats are common.
Each vehicle carries side‑scan sonar and high‑definition underwater cameras. The sensors feed data into deep‑learning algorithms that recognise and classify mine‑like objects in real time. Because the AUVs do most of the analysis on board, operators can focus on strategy rather than manual monitoring, cutting mission time and reducing human risk.
Another key feature is a robust underwater acoustic link that lets the AUVs share data with one another while they patrol. This networked communication boosts situational awareness and helps the fleet respond faster to emerging threats.
The MP‑AUVs completed a final field test at the NSTL/Harbour site. The trials proven the system’s critical parameters and mission objectives, paving the way for production in the coming months. Multiple industry partners are already working with NSTL on the project’s commercial rollout.
“From a technical standpoint, this is a major milestone,” said Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO. “The MP‑AUVs give our navy rapid response capability, lower operational risk, and a smaller logistical footprint for mine‑countermeasure operations.”
In other DRDO news, the agency finished developing and testing specialised food and parachute systems for astronauts on India’s first human spaceflight — Gaganyaan. The mission, set for launch in 2027, will carry astronauts to low Earth orbit for a three‑day journey and return them safely. Dr. B. K. Das, Director General of Electronics and Communication at DRDO, highlighted that DRDO’s expertise in defence technologies is now extending into space, working closely with ISRO.
These strides demonstrate DRDO’s growing role in delivering cutting‑edge technology for both naval security and space exploration.
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