The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has embarked on an innovative project to develop underwater-launched unmanned aerial vehicles (ULUAVs) in collaboration with Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd, a defense startup based in Pune. This initiative, funded by DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF), signifies a major advancement in India’s defense technology capabilities, positioning the country at the forefront of maritime defense innovation.
The contract was awarded to Sagar Defence Engineering after a competitive bidding process involving 17 firms. The signing ceremony was attended by prominent stakeholders, including Dr. GA Srinivasa Murthy, Director of DRDO’s TDF, Dr. Nidhi Bansal, Director of the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad, and representatives from the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Submarine Acquisition (DSMAQ).
ULUAVs are designed to be autonomously launched from submarines, offering extraordinary endurance and long-range capabilities for discreet surveillance missions. These UAVs enable submarines to monitor potential threats without revealing their presence, significantly enhancing operational effectiveness. The ULUAVs can seamlessly transition between underwater and aerial operations while maintaining continuous communication, transforming the dynamics of underwater and aerial military operations. Their real-time surveillance capabilities improve situational awareness, thereby expanding submarines’ command and control capabilities and providing a tactical advantage through increased sensor range and operational prowess.
This technological leap aims to surpass existing ULUAV systems. For instance, current ULUAVs, such as those used by the US, have a range of 7 km and 30 minutes of endurance. In contrast, the DRDO-Sagar Defence project aims to develop ULUAVs with a range exceeding 20 km and an endurance of over an hour, marking a significant milestone for India.
The primary role of these ULUAVs is in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, enhancing maritime security and operational effectiveness. The project also includes the potential for future expansion, with the possibility of integrating weapons systems into the drones.
This collaboration between DRDO and Sagar Defence underscores the Indian government’s commitment to fostering indigenous innovation and technological advancement within the defense sector. The initiative not only highlights the trust placed in Sagar Defence’s capabilities but also reflects the strides India is making in defense innovation. The development of ULUAVs represents a decisive edge in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, bolstering situational awareness and operational effectiveness in the maritime domain.
