What is "Avataar"? India’s first drone that can fly in the air and dive underwater

Meet Avataar: India's first amphibious drone capable of flying in the air and diving underwater. (Image: X/@NetramDefence)

• India unveils Avataar, its first amphibious drone
• Avataar operates in air and underwater for surveillance tasks.
• Bengaluru startup AquaAirX uses rust-resistant materials.

Did our AI summary help?

India has unveiled a groundbreaking amphibious drone capable of operating both in the air and underwater. This marks a significant advancement in the country’s robotics and surveillance technology. The drone, called "Avataar", can fly like a conventional aerial drone before landing on water and diving beneath the surface to continue its mission.

The innovative system could transform how authorities monitor coastal regions, inspect underwater infrastructure and conduct search-and-rescue operations.

Developed by a Bengaluru-based startup

The amphibious drone was developed by AquaAirX Autonomous Systems. This is a Bengaluru-based startup focused on building autonomous multi-domain vehicles.

The company specialises in drones capable of functioning in challenging environments such as oceans, rivers and coastal zones. The project received early funding from Rainmatter, which supports technology-driven innovations.

India Unveils First Amphibious Drone “Avataar”

India has marked a major leap in multi-domain robotics with the launch of “Avataar,” the country’s first amphibious drone, developed by Bengaluru-based AquaAirX Autonomous Systems. The drone can operate both in the air and… pic.twitter.com/jN2p6PzjCc — Netram Defence Review (@NetramDefence) March 7, 2026

Built to Survive Harsh Marine Environments

Operating underwater presents unique engineering challenges. To address this, the Avataar drone has been built using rust-resistant carbon fibre materials that help protect the drone from corrosion caused by saltwater.

The drone is also equipped with specialised coatings. These coatings shield its sensors and electronic systems from salt deposits and marine debris.

In addition, its underwater navigation system can create three-dimensional (3D) maps of underwater structures. This will help operators to inspect submerged infrastructure more effectively.

What makes the Drone Unique? 

Unlike traditional drones that are restricted to the air, Avataar can operate in two completely different environments. The drone can take off like a quadcopter, fly to a target location, land on water and then submerge to perform underwater tasks.

This dual capability allows the drone to monitor both surface-level and underwater activity. This makes it particularly useful for maritime surveillance. Engineers designed the system so it can transition smoothly between air and water operations without requiring external assistance.

A step forward for India’s drone innovation

The development of "Avataar" highlights the growing capabilities of India’s drone technology sector. This multi-domain drone can play a crucial role in the future of surveillance and exploration.

By combining aerial mobility with underwater exploration, the drone represents a new generation of robotic systems designed to operate seamlessly across different environments.