Indian Navy Jalkapi Project: The Indian Navy is getting closer to putting its new Jalkapi underwater drone project into action. Indigenous autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are expected to become operational within the next year. These unmanned systems are being developed to help the Navy watch the sea, collect information and carry out risky underwater missions.
The project is part of India’s growing focus on underwater technology. Defence industry officials say such systems could help the Navy complete dangerous tasks without sending sailors into high-risk areas.
What is The Indian Navy Jalkapi Project?
Navies around the world are now using unmanned systems along with traditional warships and submarines. India is also working on large underwater vehicles that can travel below the surface for long periods without a crew.
Who is Retired Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood: First Secretary-General of Makkah Defence Alliance
The Jalkapi Project is linked to India’s Extra-Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (XLAUV) programme. These large underwater drones are planned for long-range missions where they can quietly collect information and monitor important areas of the sea. The systems are expected to have capabilities such as:
- A range of around 1,000 nautical miles
- Underwater endurance of up to 21 days
- Long-duration surveillance
- Lower need for regular logistical support
- Ability to work in dangerous or contested waters
How Will Large AUVs Help The Navy?
A major benefit of an autonomous underwater vehicle is that there are no sailors inside it. This means the Navy can send the platform into areas where using a crewed submarine could put lives at risk. Large AUVs could be used for:
- Underwater surveillance
- Intelligence collection
- Mine detection
- Maritime reconnaissance
- Tracking suspicious or hostile activity
- Environmental monitoring
They could also stay underwater for weeks. This would allow the Navy to keep watching important areas without using a large submarine for every mission. The vehicles could inspect possible minefields before other naval ships enter an area. They could also quietly monitor maritime activity and collect information while remaining difficult to detect.
Renault Enters Military Drone Production as France Expands Defence Manufacturing
Challenges And Future Combat Role
Building a fully autonomous underwater vehicle isn’t easy. GPS and normal radio communication don’t work properly deep underwater. Because of this, AUVs need advanced navigation systems to know where they are and complete their missions.
Sending large amounts of information back to operators is also difficult. Artificial intelligence and better autonomous navigation systems are helping solve some of these problems.
The main role of India’s large AUV programme is expected to focus on surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance. However, future versions could potentially receive combat capabilities. Other major naval powers are already testing large underwater drones that can carry weapons such as heavyweight torpedoes.
