NEW DELHI, — The Indian Navy has inducted autonomous armed unmanned surface vessels developed by Pune-based Sagar Defence Engineering to strengthen coastal surveillance and maritime security. The platform is being showcased at Swavlamban 2026, held on October 26–27 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
Developed under the government’s iDEX SPRINT initiative, the vessels have an endurance of 48 hours and an operational range of approximately 350 kilometres. Their equipment includes a 12.7 mm remote-controlled gun, drones, marine radar, thermal cameras, and navigation systems incorporating ISRO’s NaVIC and GPS.
The boats can operate independently or coordinate with up to 11 other vessels, allowing a 12-boat swarm to share sensor data and conduct surveillance through a single command station. They can reportedly reach speeds above 50 knots, carry payloads exceeding 2,000 kg, and feature a self-righting mechanism.
The Indian Navy ordered 12 autonomous fast interceptor crafts. The first two were reportedly delivered earlier in 2026 for the Western Naval Command. Ten boats are intended for coastal operations, while two are allocated for deployment at Pangong Lake in Ladakh by the Indian Army.
Earlier trials included an autonomous journey of approximately 1,500 kilometres from Mumbai to Thoothukudi. The vessels are designed to support surveillance, rapid response, and selected combat missions while reducing risks to personnel and advancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities.
——— End of Article ———