Indian Navy ‘SPRINT’ initiative

January 9, 2023

The Indian Navy has recently announced a collaboration with Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited for the development of armed autonomous boat swarms as part of the “SPRINT” initiative. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July of last year, SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence) aims to promote the development and usage of indigenous defense technologies by domestic companies. The task of developing this technology is one of the 75 challenges introduced by the Indian Navy under the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations.

India’s First Armed Autonomous Unmanned Boat

Sagar Defence Engineering has stated that it possesses the know-how to develop India’s first armed autonomous unmanned boat with swarming capabilities. According to the company, the platform will be able to conduct a variety of navy and security tasks, including high-speed interdiction, surveillance, constabulary operations, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Indian Navy Plans to Order 12 Systems

The collaboration with Sagar Defence Engineering is the 50th contract signed under the SPRINT initiative, and the Indian Navy plans to place an order for 12 systems once the construction of the weaponized autonomous unmanned boat is completed. The agreement is part of the Defense India Start-up Challenge (DISC 7) SPRINT initiative.

SPRINT Initiative Aims to Induct 75 New Technologies by 2023

As part of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations and in an effort to achieve self-reliance in defense, the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy through the SPRINT initiative. Prime Minister Modi has stated that the goal should be for the Indian Navy to be at an “unprecedented height” when the country celebrates 100 years of independence.

In March of last year, the Indian Navy also signed a memorandum of understanding for a knowledge partnership with BharatShakti.in and the Society for Indigenous Defence Manufacturing (SIDM) as a step towards encouraging innovation and self-reliance in defense in the country.

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