Historical developments in USV, UUV and UGV systems. Original milestones, source-linked evidence and reviewed UXV Searcher analysis.
In July 2026, XV Excalibur returned to sea as the Royal Navy continued experimentation with the CETUS extra-large autonomous underwater demonstrator. Reporting describes a shift toward functional payloads and assessment of military utility, confirming renewed sea activity but not a formal acceptance or production milestone.
Original event: July 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On May 30, 2026, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced the first AUKUS Pillar II Signature Project focused on payloads and enabling systems for uncrewed undersea vehicles.
Original event: 30 May 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On March 31, 2026, UK-based ZeroUSV reported successful autonomous launch of a Teledyne Slocum underwater glider from its Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel during activity linked to the Royal Navy's Atlantic Bastion experimentation. The event demonstrated host-platform integration for persistent underwater sensing and ASW-related missions.
Original event: 31 Mar 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On February 12, 2026, TNI AL formally accepted and commissioned KRI Canopus-936 in Germany. Later official Pushidrosal reporting confirms that an onboard AUV formed part of the ship's underwater mission-equipment package, so the AUV capability was delivered with the host vessel rather than through a separate UUV procurement milestone.
Original event: 12 Feb 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
TNI AL Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali visited PT PAL Indonesia on February 26, 2026, to review development of the KSOT autonomous submarine and the separate Piranha torpedo system. PT PAL connected the KSOT development to strengthening Indonesia's national underwater-defense capability.
Original event: 26 Feb 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
TNI AL Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali stated on April 16, 2026, that the Navy intended to employ KSOT underwater as part of increased use of unmanned systems for maritime patrol. He described the planned use as supporting existing KRI patrol activity while reducing dependence on fuel-intensive crewed vessels.
Original event: 16 Apr 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On April 24, 2026, Pushidrosal reported that the AUV carried aboard KRI Canopus-936 remained functional during the vessel's transcontinental delivery voyage. Pushidrosal describes the AUV as an autonomous unmanned underwater system capable of automatic seabed mapping.
Original event: 24 Apr 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On April 24, 2026, Pushidrosal reported that the ROV aboard KRI Canopus-936 remained functional during the vessel's transcontinental delivery voyage. The Navy describes the ROV as a remotely controlled underwater robot used for deep inspection.
Original event: 24 Apr 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On May 11, 2026, KRI Canopus-936 arrived in Jakarta after completing its delivery voyage from Germany with its installed AUV capability aboard. Pushidrosal and ANTARA confirm the underwater robotic equipment and link the platform to hydrographic, mine-detection, patrol, and maritime-intelligence functions.
Original event: 11 May 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On May 11, 2026, KRI Canopus-936 arrived in Jakarta after completing its delivery voyage from Germany with its installed ROV capability aboard. Pushidrosal and ANTARA confirm the underwater robotic equipment and link the platform to hydrographic, mine-detection, patrol, and maritime-intelligence functions.
Original event: 11 May 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
In June 2026, PT PAL CEO Kaharuddin Djenod publicly confirmed that Indonesia's Ministry of Defence had signed a contract covering an undisclosed number of KSOT autonomous submarines for Indonesian Navy evaluation.
Original event: June 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On July 7, 2026, Seskoal researchers conducted field research in Semarang and Surabaya under a study titled "Analisis Kapabilitas Kapal Selam Otonomous dan Torpedo (KSOT) Guna Memperkuat Alutsista TNI Angkatan Laut Dalam Rangka Menghadapi Ancaman Perang Modern." The work assessed autonomous-underwater capability in the context of future TNI AL force development and modern-warfare requirements.
Original event: 7 Jul 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On July 15, 2026, PT PAL CEO Kaharuddin Djenod stated that KSOT autonomous submarines had entered the production stage and that supporting infrastructure for mass production was ready. He linked the program to closing surveillance gaps and strengthening Indonesia's underwater-defense capability following the procurement progression disclosed earlier in 2026.
Original event: 15 Jul 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On July 21, 2026, KKIP conducted a formal monitoring-and-evaluation visit to PT PAL Indonesia covering strategic maritime-defense programs, including the company's autonomous-submarine development stream. The activity assessed program progress, industrial capability, and inputs for future defense-industry policy.
Original event: 21 Jul 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On August 14, 2026, Ditjen Pothan Kemhan conducted monitoring and evaluation of PT Robo Marine Indonesia's FA ODIS development under the 2026 Bangtekindhan program. Kemhan states that FA ODIS is being developed for naval-mine identification to support subsequent mine destruction and identifies TNI AL mine-warfare units as the intended beneficiaries.
Original event: 14 Aug 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
NSTL issued a 2026 GeM service requirement for technical support during preparation, testing, and dynamic trials of a man-portable autonomous underwater vehicle. The work supports the MP-AUV capability developed for mine-countermeasure missions and covers technical assistance at NSTL and designated test locations.
Original event: 12 Jan 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On January 20, 2026, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence delegation visited NSTL and reviewed HEAUV, SWARM, and other underwater-vehicle programs being developed for Indian Navy requirements.
Original event: 20 Jan 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
DRDO's Naval Research Board conducted a two-day workshop and live demonstration of a Biomimetic Autonomous Underwater Vehicle on February 3-4, 2026. The development involved collaboration among IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, IISc, NSTL, and NPOL and was presented in a naval and defence research context.
Original event: February 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026