Indian Navy Nears Deployment of Indigenous Large AUVs, Eyes Armed Undersea Drones

NEW DELHI — The Indian Navy may begin operating large, indigenous autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) within the next twelve months, according to a Defence.in report published on Wednesday, 07 Oct 2026. The development is described as a step toward fielding armed undersea drones, a capability the service has been pursuing as part of its broader indigenisation drive.

Indigenous AUV programme gains momentum

The Defence.in article cites unnamed officials from the navy and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) who said prototype trials of the large AUVs are slated for early 2027. Successful trials would allow the vessels to be inducted for fleet support and surveillance missions by late 2027. No specific technical specifications were disclosed, but the report notes that the AUVs are designed to operate autonomously for extended periods and can be equipped with payloads for mine counter‑measure and anti‑submarine roles.

Link to armed undersea drone ambitions

Analysts referenced in the Defence.in piece argue that the large AUV platform could serve as a testbed for future armed undersea drones. Such drones would carry lightweight torpedoes or anti‑ship missiles, providing a stealthy strike option against surface and subsurface threats. The navy has previously expressed interest in unmanned underwater systems that can operate beyond the line of sight, but concrete procurement plans have not been announced.

Recent indigenous milestones

Marine Insight reported the launch of the first indigenous fleet support ship, INS Shakti‑II, on 02 Oct 2026. The vessel, built at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited, is intended to extend the operational endurance of carrier strike groups and provide logistical support during prolonged deployments. The launch underscores the navy’s shift toward domestically produced platforms after years of reliance on foreign‑built auxiliaries.

In a related development, The Week detailed a ₹661‑crore contract signed on 06 Oct 2026 for the procurement of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The deal, awarded to Bharat Dynamics Limited, aims to strengthen the navy’s long‑range maritime strike capability. While the BrahMos programme is separate from the AUV project, both initiatives reflect a strategic emphasis on expanding the service’s offensive reach.

Strategic context

The push for indigenous AUVs aligns with the Ministry of Defence’s “Make in India” objectives for the armed forces. By reducing dependence on imported underwater systems, the navy hopes to achieve greater operational autonomy and cost efficiency. The Defence Ministry’s 2025‑2026 budget allocated additional funding for unmanned maritime technologies, though the exact amount earmarked for the AUV programme was not disclosed.

India’s maritime neighbours have been expanding their own unmanned underwater capabilities, prompting the navy to accelerate its research and development timeline. The Defence.in report notes that the navy’s timeline for AUV deployment is intended to keep pace with regional trends, but it does not provide a comparative analysis.

Challenges and next steps

Officials highlighted technical hurdles such as reliable underwater communication, energy storage, and autonomous navigation in complex littoral environments. The navy plans to conduct sea trials in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal to validate performance under operational conditions. Successful trials will be followed by a limited series production run, after which the vessels could be integrated into the fleet’s anti‑submarine warfare (ASW) and mine‑hunting squadrons.

Stakeholders from the Indian Navy, DRDO, and private industry are expected to convene a joint review in early 2027 to assess trial outcomes and define a procurement schedule. No procurement order has been placed as of the date of this report.