Marking a significant milestone in India’s technological advancement and indigenization efforts, the Indian Navy’s Sagarmala Parikrama initiative has successfully completed the first leg of its autonomous sea passage. The unmanned surface vessel, Matangi, developed by startup Sagar Defence Engineering, completed the journey from Mumbai to Karwar covering a distance of approximately 600 kilometers (350 nautical miles) entirely in autonomous mode.
Launched on 29 October 2024, Sagarmala Parikrama aims to showcase India’s progress in autonomous marine technology. During the Swavlamban 2024 plenary session at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh, officially flagged off Matangi via a video link to Mumbai. This inaugural journey reflects the Indian Navy’s commitment to innovation and the increasing role of startups and MSMEs in bolstering the nation’s defense capabilities.
Matangi will travel a total distance of 850 nautical miles (around 1,500 kilometers) from Mumbai to Tuticorin. Powered by an indigenous navigation and collision-avoidance system, the vessel navigates without human intervention, relying entirely on its advanced autonomous technology. This system enables Matangi to manage challenging ocean conditions and ensure safe passage in high-traffic sea routes.
The successful completion of the first leg from Mumbai to Karwar demonstrates the vessel’s reliability and the technological prowess of India’s startups. With approximately 1,000 kilometers remaining to reach its final destination, Matangi’s journey continues to embody the spirit of Swavlamban 2024 “Strength and power through innovation and indigenization.”
The Sagarmala Parikrama highlights India’s growing capabilities in developing and validating cutting-edge maritime technology, driving the nation toward self-reliance in defense innovation. (pr)