For faster, safer, and smarter naval mine countermeasure missions

1. What has DRDO developed?

  • The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) under DRDO, Visakhapatnam, has successfully developed a new generation of Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs).
  • These AUVs are designed specifically for mine countermeasure missions, meaning they help the Navy detect, classify, and navigate around underwater mines

KEY FEATURES

A. Lightweight and Man-Portable
  • Easy to carry and deploy by naval teams.
  • Useful in shallow waters, harbours, and coastlines where mines are often placed.
B. Advanced Sensors Each AUV is equipped with:
  • Side Scan Sonar – creates detailed images of the seafloor to locate mine-like objects.
  • Underwater Cameras – capture real-time visual data for confirmation.
C. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Detection The system uses:
  • Deep learning-based target recognition algorithms
  • Enables the AUV to autonomously identify and classify mines
  • Reduces operator workload
  • Cuts mission time significantly
This shifts the task from manual detection to intelligent automation. D. Underwater Communication Network
  • A robust underwater acoustic communication system allows multiple AUVs to exchange data with each other.
  • Creates networked situational awareness for coordinated missions.

SUCCESSFUL TRIALS

  • Recent field trials at NSTL Harbour were completed.
  • They validated all major system parameters and mission objectives, proving the AUVs’ effectiveness.
Industry Participation
  • Several Indian industry partners helped in development.
  • The system is expected to be ready for production within the next few months.
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE This development a major step towards:
  • Deployable underwater systems
  • Intelligent mine-countermeasure capabilities
  • Networked underwater operations
Benefits to the Navy
  • Rapid response capability
  • Lower operational risk for naval personnel
  • Reduced logistics burden
Effective tool for naval mine warfare