Historical developments in USV, UUV and UGV systems. Original milestones, source-linked evidence and reviewed UXV Searcher analysis.
GRSE and Kalyani Strategic Systems signed an MoU on March 5 covering joint development and promotion of indigenous naval systems and unmanned platforms, including AUVs. The cooperation addresses future naval opportunities in India and international markets but covers additional systems beyond the underwater-vehicle element.
Original event: 5 Mar 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On March 6, 2026, Rekise Marine presented its autonomous subsurface portfolio to defence leadership during Sagar Sankalp, including the Jalkapi XLAUV and its man-portable AUV program. Jalkapi was identified as an Indian Navy-linked XLAUV being developed through the ADITI 1.0 / iDEX-DIO framework, while the MPAUV is associated with Goa Shipyard collaboration.
Original event: 6 Mar 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On March 12, 2026, Sagar Defence Engineering began construction of its Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding and Systems Centre at Juvvaladinne. The facility is intended to develop and support unmanned surface vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles, and other intelligent maritime systems for defence, security, and commercial applications.
Original event: 12 Mar 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On March 30, 2026, GRSE delivered Sanshodhak to the Indian Navy with an AUV listed among the ship's integrated hydrographic equipment. The milestone therefore represents delivery of an installed AUV capability as part of the host platform rather than a separate UUV procurement or acceptance event.
Original event: 30 Mar 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On March 30, 2026, GRSE delivered Sanshodhak to the Indian Navy with an ROV listed among the ship's integrated hydrographic equipment. The milestone therefore represents delivery of an installed ROV capability as part of the host platform rather than a separate UUV procurement or acceptance event.
Original event: 30 Mar 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
The Defence Minister witnessed a live swarm demonstration of man-portable AUVs at NSTL on April 3 in the presence of senior naval leadership. The demonstration showed collaborative autonomous underwater operations, while prior official program information identifies mine countermeasures as the MP-AUV system's principal military role.
Original event: 3 Apr 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
XSub Robotics was incorporated on April 27 as a Krishna Defence-led joint venture with Planys and Conceptia for development and manufacture of marine robotic systems including AUVs.
Original event: 27 Apr 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On May 14, 2026, Larsen & Toubro and Exail announced a strategic partnership to offer an unmanned mine-countermeasure suite for India's future MCMV program. The autonomous underwater component is intended to support stand-off mine detection, classification, and identification within the proposed architecture.
Original event: 14 May 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On May 14, 2026, Larsen & Toubro and Exail announced a strategic partnership to offer an unmanned mine-countermeasure suite for India's future MCMV program. The remotely operated underwater component is intended to support mine identification, intervention, and neutralization within the proposed stand-off MCM architecture.
Original event: 14 May 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
Rekise Marine announced a USD 9.7 million seed financing round on June 12 while identifying Jalkapi XLAUV as a principal program supported by the new capital. The company said the funding would support further engineering, autonomy development, completion and planned sea trials of the Indian Navy-linked XLAUV.
Original event: 12 Jun 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On June 12, 2026, Rekise Marine publicly stated that its man-portable autonomous underwater vehicle was "in trials" as part of its indigenous underwater-vehicle development activity with Goa Shipyard. The disclosure supports an ongoing testing status and defence mission context including mine countermeasures and reconnaissance.
Original event: June 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On June 21, 2026, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Sanshodhak after the survey vessel had previously been delivered with an AUV as part of its hydrographic equipment suite. Commissioning brought the AUV-equipped host platform into Navy service for deep-water survey and collection of maritime, oceanographic, and geophysical data.
Original event: 21 Jun 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On June 21, 2026, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Sanshodhak after the survey vessel had previously been delivered with an ROV as part of its hydrographic equipment suite. Commissioning brought the ROV-equipped host platform into Navy service for underwater survey and associated hydrographic missions.
Original event: 21 Jun 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
DRDO/NSTL published GeM bid GEM/2026/B/7698179 on June 24 for technical assistance covering HEAUV mission simulation, vehicle integration, subsystem testing, and field trials. The bid closed on July 15, and public procurement mirrors conflict on the downstream result: one labels the procurement at AOC/award stage while another continues to show award pending.
Original event: 24 Jun 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On July 13, 2026, Spry Technocon, Teledyne Marine, Klein Marine Systems, and VideoRay announced a partnership to pursue emerging Indian Navy unmanned mine-countermeasure opportunities.
Original event: 13 Jul 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On July 13, 2026, Spry Technocon, Teledyne Marine, Klein Marine Systems, and VideoRay announced a partnership to pursue emerging Indian Navy unmanned mine-countermeasure opportunities. VideoRay ROVs form the proposed remotely operated element for expeditionary mine identification, intervention, and neutralization.
Original event: 13 Jul 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
EyeROV presented and demonstrated underwater robotic systems at Strategic Electronics Summit 2026 on July 23-24 to an audience that included the Armed Forces and DRDO. The company positioned its ROV technology for defence, underwater inspection, naval infrastructure, surveillance, and related security applications.
Original event: July 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
On July 30, 2026, Hindustan Shipyard delivered the Diving Support Vessel Nipun to the Indian Navy with ROV capability among its underwater-support systems. Official government reporting identifies ROVs for diver monitoring and salvage within the ship's broader deep-sea diving and submarine-support mission set.
Original event: 30 Jul 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026