In a recent Sputnik India interview, Commodore (Retd) Seshadri Vasan, a distinguished veteran of the Indian Navy, highlighted the potential of 100-tonne unmanned underwater vessels (UUVs) to revolutionize India's maritime operations.
This move aligns with a global trend towards unmanned military platforms, and Commodore Vasan believes that these UUVs will be a "multi-dimensional game-changer" for India's blue water force, fulfilling future needs.
Commodore Vasan emphasized the cost-effectiveness of UUVs, estimating a cost of around INR 25 crore ($3 million), significantly less than conventional submarines or warships.
These UUVs will operate with minimal human involvement, leveraging AI for autonomous functions. This reduces the risk of human casualties, a critical factor in high-risk missions.
UUVs can access areas that traditional vessels cannot due to depth or enemy defenses. This gives the Indian Navy an advantage in conducting operations in distant regions, like the South China Sea, potentially launched from various platforms, including merchant or research vessels.
These UUVs could conduct a variety of missions, including covert operations and espionage. Their smaller size, compared to submarines, makes them difficult to detect, and if armed with AI and advanced weaponry, they become even more formidable.
In conclusion, Commodore Vasan views these UUVs as a groundbreaking initiative for India's naval force, enabling sea control and supremacy in strategically vital areas without risking human lives.
