Submarine launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are a relatively new concept with few nations around the world having the capability to operate such systems. They are also a complex design and development project given that the drone will need to navigate through water before taking to the air for flight.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) signed a memorandum of understanding with NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) at the `Drone Mahotsav’ event held in the capital, on 27-28 May 2022, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This will comprise of an underwater component and an airborne component and will be one of the most futuristic product development efforts to come out of India. Globally, the United States has deployed this capability on their submarines to close a viable ‘kill chain’ for their underwater launched weapons to target surface and land targets,” sources said. The Indian Navy had recently floated a requirement for such a system through the Defence Research and Development (DRDO) Technology Development Fund.

L&T brings in its significant capability in underwater systems to the project, having worked extensively on Indian nuclear armed submarines of the Arihant-class. NewSpace Research, which recently closed a Rs 150 core series ‘A’ funding from Indian venture funds, is already working on different UAV projects. This includes a joint development with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to develop a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) UAV and an air launched swarm drone system.

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Mentored under the ministry’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, the programme has been supported by the armed forces and will see Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the lead prototype development partner.

NewSpace signed the contract with defence ministry on 10 Feb 2022, with plans in place to develop the first prototype for tests within the next four years. The first phase of the programme will be undertaken by the startup with the seed funding by defence ministry and the prototype development is likely to see HAL as the lead partner. The estimated budget to develop the system is upwards of ₹700 crore and it will be part of HALs Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) that seeks to integrated manned airborne platforms with swarm drones and a high altitude surveillance network.

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