An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) named ‘Neerakshi’ designed to detect mines, a first of its kind in the country was launched here on Friday. The Neerakshi AUV is a joint venture between the esteemed warship fabricator, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. based in Kolkata, and the dynamic MSME entity AEPL.
The commercial launch is expected to materialize within six to twelve months following comprehensive user trials conducted by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and potentially, the Army.
GRSE’s Chairman and Managing Director, Commodore P R Hari (Retd), during the AUV’s momentous introduction, spoke of its vast potential encompassing diverse applications, ranging from mine detection and disposal to conducting underwater surveys.
Present at the AUV’s launch was the Secretary of Defense R and D Department and DRDO Chairman, Samir V Kamat, who expressed his conviction that in the years to come, India’s defence industry will not only meet the nation’s aspirations but also emerge as a developer of cutting-edge systems and innovative solutions, capable of significant exports.
Furthermore, Kamat emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of self-reliance and excellence in defence systems and technologies, an objective that hinges on fostering partnerships such as the one that gave birth to ‘Neerakshi.’ He expressed his optimism that this successful collaboration will set the precedent for many more in the future, propelling India’s defence capabilities to new heights.
Looking ahead, GRSE has unveiled its aspirations to venture into the domain of autonomous sea surface vehicles, including sea-based drones, as well as exploring green propulsion for ships and other platforms. While the current version of ‘Neerakshi’ is proficient in mine detection, future plans aim to render it equally capable of mine disposal. Upon completion of user trials and integration of user requirements into the vessel, GRSE will initiate the commercial production phase.
The prototype launched boasts an impressive endurance of four hours and can delve into depths of up to 300 meters. Efforts are already underway to further enhance the AUV’s endurance by a staggering 300 per cent, enabling deployment across coastal waters to fortify coastal protection measures. This versatile platform can be deployed either from a mother ship or directly from the coast for enhanced coastal security.