Indian Navy and BEL Deploy Home-Grown Software for Fully Autonomous Surface Operations

NEW DELHI : In a major step toward autonomous naval warfare and indigenous defence innovation, the Indian Navy has operationalised a domestically developed software system that enables fully unmanned surface combat operations at sea. The system, known as Advanced Autonomous Navigation & Control Software (A2NCS), has been jointly developed by the Navy’s Weapons and Electrical Engineering Systems Establishment (WESEE) in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited, officials confirmed this week.

The software marks a significant technological milestone, allowing Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) to navigate, manoeuvre and execute missions in complex maritime environments without human presence onboard. According to a statement shared by Bharat Electronics on the social media platform X, A2NCS has already been successfully integrated into an operational Fast Interceptor Boat of the Indian Navy, which has since been deployed for mine countermeasure operations and live combat exercises.

A New Layer of Naval Autonomy

At its core, A2NCS is designed to transform conventional naval craft into intelligent, self-governing platforms. The software enables three graduated modes of operation, giving commanders flexibility depending on mission requirements and threat levels.

In remote-controlled mode, an operator located at a shore-based or shipborne control station can assume command of the vessel to conduct precision manoeuvres. In autonomous waypoint navigation mode, the craft independently patrols a designated maritime area, dynamically adjusting its course in response to traffic density, obstacles and sea conditions. In its most advanced configuration, the fully autonomous mode, the vessel operates entirely on its own, navigating congested sea lanes and executing assigned missions without any external input.

Naval sources say this layered autonomy is critical for real-world deployments, particularly in contested waters where communications may be degraded or denied.

Sensor Fusion and Artificial Intelligence at Sea

A2NCS relies on a sophisticated network of onboard sensors to maintain situational awareness during unmanned missions. These include radar systems for surface detection, Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers for tracking commercial and naval traffic, electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors for day-and-night surveillance, and integrated navigation inputs from Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and GPS. Electronic navigation charts further enhance real-time decision-making.

By fusing data from these sources, the software generates an AI-driven operational picture that allows the vessel to identify hazards, avoid collisions, comply with international maritime rules, and adapt to changing environmental conditions. Officials involved in the programme emphasised that obstacle avoidance, cyber resilience and built-in fail-safe mechanisms were treated as core design requirements, reflecting lessons drawn from global USV deployments.

Certified for Safety and Reliability

In a first for an indigenous Indian unmanned maritime system, A2NCS has received formal certification from the Indian Register of Shipping. The IRClass certification followed extensive sea trials of the autonomous Fast Interceptor Boat, during which the system was evaluated for quality, reliability and safety. Compliance with International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs)—a critical benchmark for autonomous vessels operating in shared sea spaces—was a central requirement during testing, officials said.

The certification significantly strengthens the Navy’s confidence in deploying the software across a wider range of platforms and missions.

Strategic and Industrial Significance

The operational deployment of an A2NCS-powered vessel underscores India’s accelerating push into unmanned and AI-enabled naval capabilities, an area increasingly central to modern maritime security. USVs are viewed as force multipliers, capable of performing high-risk tasks such as mine detection, harbour defence, surveillance and electronic warfare, while reducing danger to human crews.

From an industrial perspective, the project aligns closely with the government’s “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” vision, aimed at reducing dependence on foreign defence technologies. Bharat Electronics, a key public sector defence electronics manufacturer, has described the programme as a model for deep collaboration between the armed forces and domestic industry.

With the Fast Interceptor Boat already proving the concept during operational deployments, defence planners expect A2NCS to be adapted for additional vessel classes in the future—potentially positioning India among a small group of nations with certified, indigenously developed autonomous naval navigation software.