India Launches Indigenous iNDiC Underwater Systems for Military and Professional Diving

India has expanded its indigenous underwater-technology ecosystem with the launch of iNDiC, a new Indian diving-equipment brand developed by Planet Scuba India for military, professional and specialised underwater operations.

The new brand brings together a range of marine mobility systems, underwater electronics and diving equipment designed and developed in India, with several products shaped around requirements associated with the Indian Armed Forces. The launch marks an effort to build domestic capability in a segment where specialised equipment has traditionally depended heavily on foreign suppliers.

Military diving equipment is a critical but relatively less visible component of naval capability. Combat divers, clearance divers and special operations personnel require highly reliable underwater mobility platforms, communication systems, navigation aids, life-support equipment and mission-specific electronics to operate safely and effectively in difficult maritime environments.

iNDiC is intended to address several of these requirements through a broader portfolio rather than a single product. The brand covers systems associated with underwater mobility, diver support and electronic equipment that can be adapted for defence as well as professional diving missions.

Such technologies can have applications across naval special operations, harbour and port security, underwater reconnaissance, ship inspection, mine-countermeasure support and protection of critical subsea infrastructure. They can also be used by professional diving teams involved in offshore energy installations, underwater construction, marine engineering and search-and-recovery operations.

The emergence of an indigenous supplier is particularly relevant as the Indian Navy and other security agencies place greater emphasis on monitoring coastal waters, protecting ports and safeguarding underwater infrastructure such as pipelines, communication cables and offshore installations.

Underwater threats are becoming increasingly complex. Sabotage, mines, unmanned underwater vehicles and covert infiltration can create vulnerabilities around naval bases, commercial ports and critical maritime infrastructure. Effective response therefore depends not only on major warships and surveillance aircraft but also on specialised equipment used by divers and small maritime teams operating below the surface.

Planet Scuba India’s experience in diving and underwater equipment provides the foundation for the new iNDiC brand. While the systems were initially influenced by military requirements, the company intends to position them for both domestic and international professional diving markets.

This dual-use approach could help the company achieve wider production volumes while supporting India’s broader defence-indigenisation strategy. Technologies developed for military diving often have commercial applications in offshore energy, marine research, underwater inspection and infrastructure maintenance.

The launch also reflects a wider change within India’s defence-industrial ecosystem, where smaller private companies and specialised engineering firms are increasingly developing components and niche technologies that were previously sourced largely from overseas manufacturers.

Indigenisation at this level is important because a country’s military capability ultimately depends on thousands of specialised subsystems and pieces of equipment. Diving systems may not attract the same attention as submarines, missiles or warships, but they remain essential for underwater operations and maritime security.

With iNDiC, India is seeking to build a domestic capability across another specialised segment of naval equipment. The development could support greater self-reliance in military diving technology while creating an Indian platform for supplying professional underwater systems to international markets.