New Delhi: In a major push for indigenous defence innovation, the Indian Navy has signed a ₹66-crore contract with Odisha-based deep-tech startup Coratia Technologies for the supply of Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (UWROVs).
The deal marks a significant step in enhancing India’s underwater capabilities while reinforcing the government’s ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Startup Innovation Meets Defence Needs
Coratia Technologies, incubated at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, will deliver and maintain these home-grown underwater robots, designed for-
- Ship hull cleaning
- Minor salvage operations
- Surveys and inspections of submerged infrastructure
The contract comes after the company won the prestigious iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) challenge in 2023 – a Ministry of Defence initiative to foster homegrown solutions in the defence and aerospace sectors.
“This is not only a recognition of our capability to design and manufacture mission-critical underwater systems, but also symbolises the Navy’s relentless efforts to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem,” said Debendra Pradhan, Co-founder and CEO of Coratia Technologies.
Introducing ‘Jalasimha’ – India’s Indigenous UWROV
The Navy has already commissioned ‘Jalasimha’, Coratia’s flagship UWROV, which recently cleared Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9, certifying it for military operations after rigorous field trials.
“Our frugal design offers advanced capabilities at a significantly lower cost, making it India’s first cost-efficient breakthrough in underwater robotics,” said Biswajit Swain, Co-founder & CTO of Coratia.
Impact Beyond Defence: Blue Economy, Infrastructure & More
Coratia’s UWROVs are already being used across public and private sectors for-
- Dam and bridge inspections
- Ocean floor mapping
- Monitoring marine ecosystems
- Offshore energy asset inspections
- Subsea pipeline and cable checks
This dual-use potential makes the technology a critical enabler for both defence preparedness and India’s growing blue economy.
Funding & Global Expansion Plans
In July 2025, Coratia Technologies raised ₹17.4 crore in a pre-Series A round led by MGF Kavachh and backed by Pontaq Ventures India.
“By investing, we are not just backing a startup, but reinforcing the spirit of ‘Make in India’ and contributing to India’s emergence as a global tech leader,” said Raj Sethia, Founder & Managing Partner, MGF Kavachh.
The company plans to deploy the capital to–
- Expand R&D capabilities
- Build Intellectual Property (IPR)
- Increase exports amid rising global demand
According to Mordor Intelligence, the underwater robotics market is projected to grow from $5.08 billion in 2025 to $9.53 billion by 2030, making India’s entry into this space both timely and strategic.
