Defense

The idea behind a biomimetic AUV is simple and powerful: the ocean already contains highly efficient underwater designs. Fish, tuna, rays, dolphins and whales move through water with efficiency, agility and reduced disturbance. Biomimetics translates such natural engineering into mechanical systems. IIT Madras describes biomimetic AUVs as platforms that mimic aquatic creatures for high propulsive efficiency, silent operation, fewer wake signatures and strong manoeuvrability.

The programme was organised around the larger national idea of Viksit Bharat, where young Indians are encouraged to see themselves as active participants in India’s development journey. Instead of treating defence outreach only as a recruitment exercise, Project Navbharat presents the Army as a disciplined institution of national service, technological capability and civic responsibility. This makes the initiative especially relevant in border and frontier regions, where the Army’s presence is deeply connected with security, public confidence and national integration.

The project began as CVRDE’s effort to convert BMP-II class tracked amphibious vehicles into tele-operated and autonomous platforms. According to DRDO’s Technology Focus account, CVRDE took up the “Conversion of BMP-II into Tele-operated and Autonomous Vehicle” project in 2007, later naming it MUNTRA. The programme developed technologies such as drive-by-wire control, tele-operation, perception systems, robotic manipulators, autonomous navigation, multi-sensor fusion, payload tele-operation, power management and software integration.

The most important part of the project is its ammunition manufacturing capability. Reports say the Shirdi facility includes an artillery shells plant with an annual production capacity of around five lakh shells. The unit is expected to produce 155 mm and 120 mm artillery shell hardware, tank ammunition and related systems. In a world where the Ukraine war and other modern conflicts have shown the centrality of high-volume ammunition production, such a facility has direct strategic relevance for India.

The contract covers optical lens components identified as GE SF Lens 1 and GE SF Lens 2, with execution planned through sample approval, first-lot delivery within roughly 8–10 weeks after purchase-order receipt, and phased monthly deliveries up to December 2026. The order value is listed as ₹29,83,81,230 plus applicable GST, and the award has been disclosed under SEBI’s Regulation 30 framework.

The missile is generally assessed to have a range of around 700 km, with an estimated payload capacity of about 1,000 kg. Open-source technical assessments describe Agni-I as roughly 15 metres long, around 1 metre in diameter, and solid-fuelled, making it a compact and mobile member of the Agni family. Its shorter range gives India a focused strategic option within the regional theatre, while its solid-fuel configuration supports faster readiness compared to older liquid-fuel systems.