GRSE launches autonomous underwater vehicle

GRSE has launched an autonomous underwater vehicle (pictured) that can be used to support mine countermeasures, underwater monitoring, and search-and-rescue missions. (GRSE)

India's state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) has launched an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) that can be used for a range of military operations.

A GRSE spokesperson told Janes in early August that the AUV, named Neerakshi, is equipped with mine-detection technologies to assist mine countermeasures (MCM), and sensors and imaging systems to aid search-and-rescue (SAR) missions.

In addition, the Neerakshi can be used to monitor underwater structures and as a reusable target to support anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training by warships, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the Neerakshi has a length of 2.15 m, a weight of 45 kg, and a speed of 3 kt. It has an operating depth of 300 m and an endurance of more than four hours.

GRSE collaborated with Tamil Nadu-based Aerospace Engineers Private Limited to develop the Neerakshi, the spokesperson said.

GRSE is involved in discussions with relevant stakeholders including the Indian Navy for potential induction of the Neerakshi into their service, the spokesperson added.

The Neerakshi can be scaled-up in size to meet the requirements highlighted in the ‘Integrated Unmanned Roadmap', the spokesperson added. The road map will guide the Indian Navy's development and induction of unmanned systems until 2030. The document, announced in 2021, is yet to be unclassified and made public.

The spokesperson told Janes that GRSE is also developing an unmanned surface vessel (USV) and a shipborne unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in collaboration with Indian startups. Both the systems will be autonomous. The spokesperson declined to elaborate on the projects.