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India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has unveiled a new class of man-portable autonomous underwater vehicles (MP-AUVs), designed to make mine detection faster, safer, and more precise. The system marks a significant technological shift in how naval forces handle underwater threats and operate in complex littoral environments.
Underwater mine countermeasures have long been a high-risk, time-consuming task that often requires large vessels, specialized divers, and extensive coordination. Traditional systems are difficult to deploy in shallow or constrained waters, leaving ships and coastal installations vulnerable. DRDO’s new MP-AUVs are meant to change that — compact enough to be carried by a small team, yet smart enough to execute independent search and classification missions.
Developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, the vehicles combine Side Scan Sonar, underwater cameras, and deep-learning algorithms to autonomously identify mine-like objects in real time. Instead of depending on constant human oversight, the AUVs analyze sonar imagery onboard, distinguishing between natural debris and genuine threats. This autonomy not only accelerates detection but also reduces the cognitive load on operators.
According to NextGenDefense, each unit is equipped with an underwater acoustic communication system, allowing multiple AUVs to exchange data and coordinate coverage areas. This creates a networked swarm of underwater scouts, improving situational awareness and mission efficiency. Recent harbor trials have successfully validated their detection range, endurance, and classification accuracy, clearing the way for production and field deployment in the near future.
Beyond mine countermeasures, these systems have potential defense and homeland security applications. Compact, portable AUVs could be used for harbor protection, underwater surveillance, or inspection of critical infrastructure such as pipelines and offshore platforms. Their ability to operate quietly and share real-time intelligence makes them valuable for both military and civil maritime security missions.
By integrating AI with compact, modular design, DRDO’s MP-AUVs bring a new level of agility to underwater operations. They reflect a broader global shift toward intelligent, networked defense systems — where autonomy, portability, and rapid deployment define the future of naval warfare and maritime safety.
