Indian Navy to Integrate Indigenous XLUUV ‘JALKAPI’ into Fleet by 2025
The Indian Navy is on the verge of advancing its capabilities in autonomous naval warfare with the upcoming induction of its first Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV), named JALKAPI-XLUUV, expected within the next one to two years. This sophisticated platform represents a key achievement in India’s underwater defense strategy and is being developed as part of the Ministry of Defence’s iDEX Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The JALKAPI-XLUUV stands as the most intricate unmanned underwater system ever constructed for the Indian Navy, designed for extended operations with an underwater endurance ranging from 30 to 45 days without needing surface support. Weighing 20 tonnes and measuring 11 meters in length, it aligns with international models such as Boeing’s Orca XLUUV, capable of operating at depths reaching 300 meters.
This domestically developed underwater vehicle is designed to handle a wide array of missions including intelligence collection, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), subsea mapping, mine countermeasures, and emergency maritime interventions.
On the technological front, JALKAPI is equipped with state-of-the-art autonomous systems that facilitate smooth transitions between submerged and surface navigation. It features modular payload bays capable of accommodating advanced sonar systems, electronic surveillance equipment, and various sensors, ensuring adaptability for future missions. The vehicle is also equipped with autonomous docking, battery management, and failsafe emergency protocols to allow for independent operation from harbors or deployed ships.
The project is being led with design contributions from the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design – Submarine Design Group (DND-SDG). The introduction of this XLUUV is anticipated to greatly enhance India’s maritime situational awareness, providing a strategic advantage in the increasingly contested undersea regions of the Indo-Pacific.
