DRDO’s new underwater portable AUVs with AI can now hunt mines on their own; here’s how

DRDO develops new man-portable autonomous underwater vehicles with AI-driven mine detection, sonar imaging and inter-AUV communication.

India has taken a significant step in upgrading its underwater warfare edge. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new generation of man-portable autonomous underwater vehicles (MP-AUVs) designed to detect and classify naval mines using artificial intelligence, a capability that has traditionally required heavy, crew-intensive systems.

A new generation of Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs) have been indigenously designed and developed by the NSTL in collaboration with other labs NPOL, RCI, HEMRL, and DYSL-AT for mine countermeasure missions. The system comprises multiple AUVs equipped with… pic.twitter.com/fyKovZjf60

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) November 15, 2025

AI, sonar and multi-vehicle coordination at the core

Developed by DRDO’s Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, the MP-AUV platform is built around three pillars: advanced sensors, onboard AI, and underwater communication.

Each AUV carries Side Scan Sonar and underwater cameras as primary payloads, enabling the system to map the seabed in real time and flag suspicious objects. What makes the new generation stand out is DRDO’s deep-learning target recognition algorithm, which allows the vehicle to autonomously classify mine-like objects, reducing operator workload and cutting mission time.

To elevate performance further, DRDO has integrated a robust underwater acoustic communication link, letting multiple AUVs exchange data and coordinate movements mid-mission. Essentially, the system can operate like a swarm, improving detection accuracy and situational awareness.

Field trials done; production next

The Ministry of Defence said the MP-AUVs recently completed field trials at NSTL’s harbour facilities, validating critical mission parameters and system behaviour in real-world scenarios.

Multiple private industry partners are already involved, and production is expected to begin “in the next couple of months,” according to officials.

A major milestone for India’s mine warfare capabilities

Calling it a 'major milestone,' DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat said the MP-AUV platform is a significant leap toward a deployable, intelligent, networked mine countermeasure solution for the Indian Navy. He noted that the system offers rapid response capability with lower operational risk and a reduced logistic footprint, key requirements for modern naval operations.

The DRDO ecosystem now has over Rs 80,000 crore in assets across 12 states through its parent and two InvIT structures, underscoring the scale of India’s private-public underwater technology pipeline.