In a significant boost to India’s military capabilities, Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd. from Pune has secured a contract from the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Technology Development Fund (TDF) to develop Underwater Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (ULUAVs).
This groundbreaking project aims to enhance the strategic prowess of the nation’s defense forces, showcasing a major leap in India’s defense technology. Sagar Defence Engineering emerged victorious in a competitive bidding process that saw participation from 17 firms.
The contract was officially signed between Dr Nidhi Bansal, Director of TDF, and Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd. in the presence of Dr GA Srinivasa Murthy, Director of the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad along with the PMMG team, DRDL, and the user, a representative from the Directorate of Submarine Acquisition (DSMAQ) of the Indian Navy. This highlights the collaborative effort to propel India’s defence technology to new heights.
About the project
The development of an Underwater Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ULUAV) by Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd., designed to launch autonomously from a moving submarine, featuring high endurance and long range to provide a significant element of surprise.
The system’s rapid, safe, and autonomous deployment capabilities allows it to conduct discreet surveillance missions, enabling submarines to monitor threats without detection. Designed to move seamlessly from underwater to the surface and into the air, maintaining continuous communication, this compact unmanned system provides submarines with real-time surveillance for effective target identification. This innovation significantly enhances the ability of submarines to remain discreet while staying informed and connected, transforming the dynamics of underwater and aerial military operations.
About Collaboration & Significance
The Indian Navy will be collaborating extensively with industry partners in this project to explore the potential of ULUAVs and develop new strategies. As this technology allows submarines to expand their command and control capabilities, the ULUAV provides high tactical advantage, achieved through RF data-link transmissions that can reach the submarine positioned under the ocean’s surface. Significantly enhancing the submarine’s sensor range and operational capabilities, the ULUAV will be utilized for conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, providing radio relay by seamlessly integrating into the existing fleet for mid-term operational advantages. As submarines cannot observe beyond the horizon visible through their periscope, deploying the ULUAV while submerged will greatly enhance the submarine’s situational awareness and deceptive capabilities, gaining significant strategic and tactical advantage to engage with multiple targets simultaneously.
The ability to deploy autonomous aerial vehicles from underwater platforms will be a critical factor in maintaining maritime security. The introduction of the ULUAV into the Indian Navy’s fleet will not only enhance current operational capabilities but also pave the way for future advancements for such type of autonomous and unmanned maritime systems.
Marking a significant stride in the government’s commitment to bolstering the roadmap towards an indigenous defence industry and the nation’s technological progress, this agreement between TDF DRDO and Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd. will lead to a new dimension in naval warfare for revolutionizing intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance, amplifying maritime operational efficacy by the use of ULUAVs.