Excitement is building as countdown begins for the second edition of the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenization Seminar, Swavlamban, set to take place on October 4th and 5th in New Delhi. The event will unveil the Autonomous Weaponized Boat Swarms for the Indian Navy, and for the first time, the Autonomous Vessel Underwater (AUV) will also be featured.
What Makes These Platforms Remarkable?
The Indian Navy has entered into an agreement with Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd for the development of Autonomous Weaponized Boat Swarms.
Furthermore, as per company officials, an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) has been issued for the acquisition of 30 AUVs for the Indian Navy.
Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd stands as one of the winners under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) DISC 7 program, specifically the SPRINT (Supporting Pole-vaulting In R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework. This initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is designed to foster innovation and technology development within the Defence and Aerospace Sector. It actively engages industries, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, and individual innovators, to develop specialized technologies. In a recent development, Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd signed an agreement with the Indian Navy for the development of Autonomous Weaponized Boat Swarms.
This signifies the 50th contract awarded under the ‘SPRINT’ program, which aims to produce 75 indigenous technologies for the Indian Navy, as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Capt. Nikunj Parashar, Managing Director and founder of Sagar Defence Engineering, expressed, “India has been diligently working towards constructing autonomous swarm boats that will enhance maritime security and align with global advancements in unmanned technology. Swarm boats have demonstrated effectiveness across various tasks, including oceanography, bathymetry, hydrography, environmental monitoring, freight transport, search and rescue, as well as military applications.”
According to Capt. Parashar, “These swarms are strategically designed for naval tactics, employing a coordinated deployment of numerous small unmanned boats to overwhelm an adversary’s naval defenses.”
The Advantages of This System
“With the implementation of an integrated autonomous system, our foremost objective is to address India’s maritime security needs by executing diverse naval and security missions. These missions encompass high-speed interdiction, surveillance, constabulary operations, C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), along with low-intensity maritime operations carried out through our Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs),” Captain Parashar elucidates.
Captain Parashar underscores, “Through iDEX-DIO and the Indian Navy, we are presented with the opportunity to contribute to the growth of the defense industry. This engagement extends to supporting start-ups and enhancing our nation’s defense and aerospace capabilities.”
“In our pursuit of these goals, we have taken substantial steps towards preserving human lives during challenging and hazardous missions. Additionally, we are promoting the localization of such technology, contributing to the development of a Secure India,” he emphasizes.
More About Autonomous Weaponized Boat Swarms
“These swarm boats are equipped with various types of weaponry and sensors, capable of remote or autonomous operation. They incorporate an integrated system capable of executing a range of naval and security missions, including littoral/ODA Patrol, High-Speed Interdiction, Coastal Surveillance, Local Naval Defence, Constabulary Operations, C4ISR, Medium-Sized Unmanned Surface Vessel, and Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO). These initiatives are carried out under the auspices of the Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization (NIIO) and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC),” he elucidates.
The defense minister has expressed optimism that with the implementation of the SPRINT initiative, the Indian industry will respond with enthusiasm, contributing to a more robust and self-sufficient military sector, thereby strengthening the country’s security system.
In recent years, India has cultivated a domestic industry-friendly environment, facilitated the growth of local companies and ensured the holistic development of the nation while catering to the security needs of friendly nations, aligning with the vision of “Make in India, Make for the World.”
About AUVs
Acceptance of Necessity has been issued for the acquisition of 30 AUVs for the Indian Navy, offering significant tactical advantages in underwater and surface warfare through their swarming capabilities.
These AUVs can be deployed for various missions, including Mine Counter Measures (MCM), anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), hydrographic and oceanographic data acquisition, as well as homeland security tasks such as wreck localization, port and coastal security. They possess swarming capabilities, enabling multiple missions with low capital and operational expenses. Additionally, their modular architecture allows customization with various payloads and battery sizes, tailoring them to user-specific requirements and diverse environmental conditions.