NEW DELHI — The Indian Navy plans to field indigenous underwater drones (UUVs) within the next twelve months, senior defence official Ankur Shah told reporters on Oct. 5, 2026. The timeline follows a series of recent trials of new platforms, including the multi‑role frigate INS Samarthak and the anti‑submarine warfare (ASW) corvette INS Mangrol, which are slated for weapons and sub‑hunting exercises later this month.
Indigenous development gains momentum
Shah, who heads the Navy’s under‑sea warfare programme, said the push for domestically built UUVs aligns with the Ministry of Defence’s “Make in India” agenda and addresses a strategic gap in the fleet’s unmanned capabilities. He noted that the prototypes, developed by a consortium led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and private shipbuilders, have cleared initial sea‑trial benchmarks for endurance, navigation and payload integration.
The Navy’s current inventory relies heavily on imported platforms such as the US‑built Mk 48 torpedoes and foreign‑made unmanned surface vessels. Indigenous UUVs are expected to carry lightweight torpedoes, sonar arrays and intelligence‑gathering sensors, providing a cost‑effective option for littoral and deep‑water ASW missions.
Upcoming ship trials set the stage
According to a report by The New Indian Express on Oct. 2, 2026, the Navy will induct INS Samarthak for weapons trials and INS Mangrol for sub‑hunting operations in the next few weeks. Both vessels are equipped with advanced combat management systems that can integrate data from UUVs, enhancing real‑time situational awareness.
The trials will test the interoperability of the new drones with the ships’ sonar suites and command‑and‑control networks. Successful integration is a prerequisite for the scheduled induction of the first operational UUV squadron by the end of 2027.
Shipyard capacity and export potential
The Times of India highlighted the role of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in scaling up production of naval platforms. CSL has secured contracts to build the hulls for the upcoming UUVs and is positioning itself as a potential exporter to friendly navies in the Indian Ocean Region. The shipyard’s recent expansion, funded through a mix of government and private equity, is expected to increase annual output capacity by 30 percent.
Industry analysts note that indigenous UUVs could open new revenue streams for Indian defence firms, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and creating jobs in high‑technology sectors. The projected unit cost of a domestically produced UUV is estimated at roughly ₹45 million, compared with the ₹80 million price tag of comparable imported models.
Strategic implications
Deploying home‑grown underwater drones is seen as a step toward greater self‑reliance in maritime security. The Navy’s ASW doctrine, revised in 2025, calls for layered detection and engagement capabilities to counter the growing submarine presence of regional powers in the Indian Ocean. Indigenous UUVs will augment existing assets such as the P-8I Poseidon aircraft and the Shivalik‑class frigates, creating a more resilient detection network.
Shah cautioned that the rollout will be phased, with initial deployments limited to coastal waters and later expansion to blue‑water operations as the platforms mature. He also emphasized that the drones will be operated under strict command‑and‑control protocols, adhering to the Navy’s existing rules of engagement and maritime law.
Funding and procurement
The Ministry of Defence has earmarked ₹3.2 billion for the UUV programme in the 2026‑27 budget, covering research, development and initial low‑rate production. The allocation reflects the government’s broader push to increase defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030.
Procurement officials confirmed that the first batch of 12 UUVs will be delivered to the Eastern Naval Command by March 2027, followed by a second batch to the Western Naval Command later in the year. Training for operators and maintenance crews is already underway at the Naval Institute of Technology in Mumbai.
