Indian Army Likely to Adopt IIT Bhubaneswar’s Unmanned Boat and Underwater Drone

Bhubaneswar, Sept 26 : The Indian Army is set to explore the adoption of two cutting-edge defence technologies—an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) and an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)—developed by Dr. Yogesh G. Bhumkar from the School of Mechanical Sciences, IIT Bhubaneswar.

The innovations were showcased at the Tri-Services Academia Technology Symposium held in Delhi on September 22–23, where they drew significant attention from defence experts and were shortlisted for further trials and enhancements before final adoption by the Army.

The unmanned systems, designed for maritime surveillance and security, hold immense potential in bolstering India’s defence capabilities. The USV, operating on the water surface, can monitor ship traffic, detect unauthorized activities such as smuggling or illegal fishing, and transmit real-time data to operators. The AUV, on the other hand, functions underwater, enabling discreet monitoring of submarines, underwater mines, and other hidden threats.

Officials at IIT Bhubaneswar stated that both technologies were appreciated and awarded during the symposium, which was aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia and the Armed Forces to promote indigenous defence innovation.

By reducing risks to human lives and enhancing situational awareness, unmanned maritime systems like USVs and AUVs are expected to play a critical role in safeguarding India’s maritime security in the coming years.