Archive · 15 Nov 2025
DRDO Develops New Autonomous Underwater Vehicles for Mine Detection
Scientists in India have created new underwater robots that are small enough for people to carry and use for finding underwater mines.
These robots have special tools like sonar and cameras to spot things that look like mines in the sea.
They also have smart computer programs that can automatically tell if something is a mine.
This means less work for people and faster missions.
The robots can even talk to each other underwater to share information.
Tests have shown they work well, and they will be ready to be made soon, making naval mine detection safer and more efficient.
India is now among several countries that have developed such advanced underwater robots.
DRDO's NSTL in Visakhapatnam has developed new Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs) for mine countermeasure missions.
The MP-AUVs are equipped with Side Scan Sonar and underwater cameras for detecting and classifying mine-like objects.
Onboard deep learning algorithms enable autonomous classification, reducing operator workload and mission time.
Integrated underwater acoustic communication allows for inter-AUV data exchange, enhancing situational awareness.
Field trials have been successfully concluded, with production expected within the next few months.
- Who
- Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam (under DRDO)
- What
- Developed a new generation of Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs) for mine countermeasure missions.
- When
- Development announced, field trials recently concluded, production expected in the next couple of months (Published November 15, 2025)
- Where
- Visakhapatnam, India (NSTL/Harbour for field trials)
- Why
- To advance autonomous naval warfare technology, create a deployable, intelligent, and networked mine countermeasure solution with rapid response capability and reduced operational risks and logistic footprint.
DRDO Perspective
International Context
Technological Advancement
DRDO Perspective
The MP-AUVs represent a major milestone towards a deployable, intelligent, and networked mine-countermeasure solution, offering rapid response capability with reduced operational risk and logistic footprint.
International Context
India joins a list of countries including the US, UK, France, China, Sweden, Germany, South Korea, Israel, and Norway that have already developed similar man-portable autonomous underwater vehicles for various applications.
- Developer
- Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam (under DRDO)
- Technology
- Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs)
- Purpose
- Mine countermeasure (MCM) operations
- Primary Payloads
- Side Scan Sonar and underwater cameras
- Key Feature
- Deep-learning-based target recognition for autonomous classification
- Benefits
- Reduced operator workload, reduced mission time, reduced operational risk, reduced logistic footprint
- Field Trials
- Successfully concluded
- Production Readiness
- Expected in the next couple of months
Sources
DRDO develops new generation Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
DRDO Develops New Generation Man-Portable Underwater Vehicles
Breakthrough in naval warfare: DRDO unveils Autonomous Underwater Vehicles for mine detection
DRDO develops new generation Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
DRDO Develops New Man-Portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
