India’s First Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle “Jalkapi” to Be Built in Gujarat

In a major stride towards strengthening indigenous underwater capabilities, India has launched the development of its first Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV), named “Jalkapi”, which will be constructed in Gujarat. Designed to bolster India's undersea warfare and surveillance arsenal, this 20-ton autonomous submarine-like vessel will be completed within 18 months, marking a significant milestone in the country's journey toward next-generation naval technology.

The XLUUV, under development by Rekise Marine in partnership with India’s iDEX Aatmanirbhar Defense Innovation ecosystem, is tailored for extended underwater missions. It boasts an endurance of 30 to 45 days at sea, placing it in the league of the world's most advanced UUVs, including the likes of Boeing’s Orca XLUUV.

Measuring 11 meters in length, Jalkapi is engineered to dive to depths of up to 300 meters, allowing it to conduct long-range surveillance, reconnaissance, and strategic missions in deep waters. The project is being built on specifications and design support provided by the Indian Navy's DND-SDG unit, reinforcing its alignment with real-world operational needs.

Key Features & Capabilities

Autonomous Mission Execution:
Jalkapi is equipped with a fully autonomous mission suite. It can dynamically execute operations using onboard artificial intelligence beyond standard waypoint navigation. This includes seamless surface-to-dive mode transitions, autonomous energy management, and resurfacing for charging.

Hybrid Propulsion & Energy:
The vessel is powered by electric motors driven by Lithium-ion batteries, which are recharged at sea via an onboard diesel generator. This hybrid setup allows for extended endurance and operational flexibility.

Mission Profiles:
Jalkapi is envisioned for a wide range of roles including:

• Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR)

• Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)

• Subsea Surveying

• Emergency Response Operations

Contingency & Harbor Navigation:
The system includes emergency handling protocols and is capable of fully autonomous harbor entry and exit on the surface, a critical capability for stealth missions and secure recovery.

Strategic Importance

India’s foray into XLUUVs comes at a time when naval powers around the world are racing to develop autonomous underwater capabilities for strategic dominance in the Indo-Pacific. With growing concerns about undersea threats—from submarine activity to undersea infrastructure sabotage—the development of Jalkapi will offer the Indian Navy a stealthy, persistent, and risk-free surveillance platform for high-threat environments.

Additionally, the program reinforces India's Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals, leveraging indigenous talent and platforms like iDEX Forge to build cutting-edge defense technology.

With the Jalkapi XLUUV, India is not just building a vessel—it's constructing a platform that represents the future of undersea warfare, data gathering, and naval dominance. Once completed, it will mark India’s entry into an exclusive club of nations capable of designing and operating autonomous deep-sea systems at strategic scale.