The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India is making significant strides in enhancing the country's underwater military capabilities by developing India's first underwater-launched unmanned aerial vehicles (ULUAVs). This innovative project is in collaboration with Sagar Defence Engineering, a Pune-based start-up, which has been awarded the contract through a competitive bidding process involving 17 firms.

The ULUAVs are designed to be launched from submarines, marking a paradigm shift in naval defence technology. They will feature advanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, significantly improving situational awareness in maritime operations.

The ULUAVs are expected to have a range of 20 kilometers and an operational flight time of one hour on a single charge, which is notably superior to existing ULUAV technologies, such as those from the US, which have a range of only 7 kilometers and a flight time of 30 minutes.

These vehicles will operate autonomously and have the capability to land on moving vessels, enhancing their versatility in various operational scenarios.

This initiative not only aims to bolster India's defence capabilities but also reflects the government's commitment to promoting indigenous innovation and technological advancement in the defence sector. The partnership with Sagar Defence is seen as a step towards fostering a robust military industrial ecosystem in India.

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