DRDO Selects Apollo Micro Systems to Produce Indigenous “Vighana” Multi-Influence Ground Mines for Indian Navy

August 29, 2025 – In a major boost to India’s indigenous defence manufacturing, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has chosen Hyderabad-based Apollo Micro Systems as the Production Agency for the Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM) – “Vighana”. The selection has been made under DRDO’s Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) model, which encourages collaboration with domestic industry to accelerate deployment of advanced defence technologies.

Alongside this, DRDO has also transferred technology to Apollo Micro Systems for the Omni-Directional Multi-EFP warhead, an advanced system that will power the Naval Anti-Ship Missile – Short Range (NASM-SR).

A Leap in Naval Defence

The MIGM “Vighana” was developed by DRDO’s Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, with support from other premier labs including HEMRL Pune and TBRL Chandigarh. In May 2025, the system successfully underwent combat firing trials, validating its operational effectiveness. These trials confirmed that the system is ready for induction into the Indian Navy.

The MIGM is a next-generation sea mine capable of detecting acoustic, magnetic, pressure and seismic signatures typically emitted by stealth ships and submarines. It features an onboard ARM processor with real-time data acquisition, enabling precise target identification. The mines can be deployed from ships, submarines, or undersea platforms, giving the Navy a powerful new weapon in its underwater defence arsenal.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as a “landmark step” in strengthening India’s undersea warfare capability, while DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat emphasized that the system is combat-ready and will significantly boost the country’s maritime security.

Apollo Micro Systems Steps In

Apollo Micro Systems has built a strong presence in aerospace, transportation, infrastructure, and defence. With the new role, it will spearhead production of both Vighana mines and the NASM-SR warhead system. The DcPP model ensures such partners are involved from the early stages of design, leading to smoother production and faster induction into the armed forces.

The announcement had an immediate impact on the company’s market performance, with shares witnessing sharp gains of over 10% in intraday trade. In recent months, Apollo Micro Systems has reported strong revenue growth and doubling of net profits, reflecting rising investor confidence in its defence manufacturing potential.

Strengthening India’s Maritime Edge

• Self-Reliance in Defence: The move ensures India’s sovereignty over advanced naval mine technology, reducing dependence on foreign imports.

• Undersea Warfare Boost: The Indian Navy will now possess an indigenous, sensor-driven system to counter stealth ships and submarines effectively.

• Industry-Defence Synergy: The DcPP model highlights how collaboration between DRDO and private industry can accelerate the journey from lab to battlefield.

• Economic Impact: The deal has already spurred growth in Apollo Micro Systems’ valuation, signaling positive momentum for India’s defence industrial base.

In essence, DRDO’s partnership with Apollo Micro Systems for the production of the MIGM-“Vighana” marks a crucial milestone in India’s march toward self-reliance, while providing the Indian Navy with a cutting-edge weapon to secure its maritime boundaries.