The Indian Navy signed a contract worth Rs 66 crore with an Odisha-based deep-tech startup, Coratia Technologies, to indigenously manufacture Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles. The agreement was inked last week. Two different underwater robots — Jalasimha and Jaladuta, and Navya (ASV) — which will enable sonar-based mapping and real-time data analytics powered by AI and ML, serving a dual-use for defence and civil sectors, will be indigenously manufactured by the startup for the Navy.
"This is not only a recognition of our capability to design and manufacture mission-critical underwater systems but also symbolises the Navy's relentless efforts to strengthen India's research and innovation ecosystem through well-structured initiatives like the iDEX," said Debendra Pradhan, co-founder & CEO, Coratia Technologies.
The frugal design delivers advanced capabilities at significantly lower cost, marking India's first cost-efficient underwater robotics breakthrough, the startup said in a statement.
"Induction of indigenous UWROVs not only reduces costs and reliance on foreign suppliers but also combats trade restrictions and tariff uncertainties. We're here to unlock new possibilities for defence preparedness and supporting India's blue economy," Biswajit Swain, co-founder & CTO of Coratia Technologies, said.
These UWROVs are already used in the public and private sectors for wide-ranging applications from dam and bridge inspections, ocean floor mapping, and monitoring marine ecosystems, to inspection of offshore energy assets, pipelines, and subsea cables.
This year in July, the startup managed to raise Rs 17.4 crore in a pre-Series A round led by MGF Kavachh, supported by Pontaq Ventures India. It plans to deploy the funds to scale up R&D initiatives, IPR, and increase exports to tap the rising global demand.
As of 2025, the underwater robotics market size stands at USD 5.08 billion, and is pegged to reach USD 9.53 billion by 2030, according to Mordor Intelligence.
"By investing, we are not just backing a promising startup but also reinforcing the spirit of 'Make in India' and contributing to the vision of becoming a global technology leader," said Raj Sethia, founder and managing partner, MGF Kavachh.
Follow us
