32. Indigenization of Marine Tech: Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

Structural Mechanics

Under the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ ₹4,000-crore Deep Ocean Mission, India is developing indigenous marine technology, focusing on Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and deep-sea mining systems. Built to withstand pressures of up to 600 bar at depths of 6,000 meters, these vehicles carry out deep-sea mineral exploration, mapping of polymetallic nodules, and marine ecosystem monitoring. They employ titanium alloy pressure hulls, syntactic foam buoyancy systems, and acoustic telemetry.

Data-Driven Metrics

• Depth Capability: Indigenous deep-sea exploration platforms are designed to operate at depths of up to 6,000 meters, covering over 95% of India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) ocean floor.
• Payload Sensors: AUVs carry side-scan sonars, sub-bottom profilers, and high-resolution chemical sensors to locate hydrothermal vents and deep-sea mineral reserves.
• Battery Endurance: Custom pressure-tolerant lithium-polymer battery packs provide up to 24 hours of continuous operational endurance under deep-sea conditions.

Strategic Vector

The government should establish marine technology testing centers off the coast of Goa or Visakhapatnam to validate AUV components under deep-sea conditions.