Odisha Startup Boosts Indian Navy with Indigenous Underwater Robotics
Odisha-based deep-tech startup Coratia Technologies has made headlines this week after signing a ₹66 crore contract with the Indian Navy to supply and maintain indigenous Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (UWROVs), marking a watershed moment for India’s defence and maritime technology sector.
This partnership symbolises the Navy’s commitment to self-reliance and boosts national capabilities in autonomous underwater operations against a backdrop of increasing global demand for advanced marine robotics.
Coratia Technologies, incubated at NIT Rourkela, will deliver robots like Jalasimha and Jaladuta, along with the Navya Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV). These platforms boast sonar-based mapping, real-time data analytics through AI and machine learning, and robust, frugal designs tailored for both defence and civilian tasks.
Importantly, Jalasimha—already commissioned by the Navy—has completed rigorous field trials, reaching Technology Readiness Level-9, affirming its mission-critical readiness for deployment.
The startup’s commitment to cost-effective manufacturing means its underwater robots rival international standards while remaining affordable.
This makes Coratia’s systems accessible not only for naval operations but also for domestic industries. These UWROVs are already supporting public and private clients, with applications spanning dam and bridge inspections, ocean floor mapping, disaster response, water quality monitoring, and subsea cable and pipeline inspection.
Their deployment also enables safe hull cleaning and salvage activities, substituting divers in hazardous environments. The use of homegrown technology helps the Navy cut costs, reduce reliance on imports, and circumvent trade and tariff uncertainties, further supporting the nation’s “Make in India” vision.
Coratia recently won the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) challenge, which fostered its rapid growth and provided government-backed support for R&D. With a new pre-Series A funding round of ₹17.4 crore led by MGF Kavachh and Pontaq Ventures India, the startup is set to ramp up its research, scale its exports, and enhance intellectual property assets to compete globally.
Industry analysts note that the global underwater robotics market was valued at $5.08 billion in 2025 and is expected to nearly double by 2030. Coratia’s contract positions India at the cutting edge of this burgeoning field and demonstrates how domestic innovation can successfully serve both strategic national interests and global technology markets.
Coratia Technologies’ achievement stands as a model for collaborations between startups and the Indian armed forces, opening new possibilities in maritime security and technological advancement.
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