A high-level parliamentary delegation descended on Visakhapatnam’s NSTL Tuesday, chaired by Radha Mohan Singh, to evaluate DRDO’s strides in underwater defence technologies. This strategic visit comes at a time when enhancing the Indian Navy’s subsurface arsenal is paramount for regional dominance.
Hands-on inspection revealed NSTL’s arsenal of innovations: torpedoes encompassing ALWT, Varunastra, EHWT; mines like MIGM and PBGM; decoys such as SFD and Turbuster; the supersonic SMART torpedo launcher; resilient HE-AUVs; coordinated underwater swarms; and holistic subsea systems.
The session peaked with a riveting display of hydrodynamic testing in the Sea-Keeping Basin, using scaled models to mimic ship and submersible behaviors under duress—a linchpin for naval R&D validation.
Esteemed hosts included Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Dr. R.V. Hara Prasad, and NSTL Director Dr. Abraham Varghese, who greeted the group of parliamentarians and officials. The director’s comprehensive overview covered ongoing projects, collaborative ventures with industry and academia, and a blueprint for advancements in maritime and underwater domain awareness.
Profuse commendations flowed for NSTL’s navy-centric innovations, vital for protecting India’s oceanic frontiers. This oversight visit amplifies momentum for indigenous defence production, positioning India as a formidable player in global naval tech.