OPINION | Maritime unmanned systems and the evolution of naval warfare

For more than a century, naval power has been associated with large warships. Battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, and submarines formed the backbone of maritime strategy and power projection. In recent years, however, maritime unmanned systems have begun to alter this traditional model. Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) are increasingly being employed for surveillance, reconnaissance, mine warfare, and strike-support missions. Their growing significance stems from their ability to deliver operational effects at relatively low cost while reducing risks to personnel.

Although often referred to as “water drones,” these platforms vary considerably in capability. Some are remotely operated, while others can execute pre-programmed missions with limited human intervention. Advances in satellite navigation, sensor fusion, onboard computing, and artificial intelligence have improved their ability to operate in complex maritime environments. Importantly, most operational systems still rely on human oversight, particularly for missions involving the use of force.

While unmanned maritime systems have existed since the First World War and saw experimentation during the Cold War, the convergence of modern enabling technologies in the twenty-first century has transformed them from experimental concepts into operationally viable assets.

The Russia–Ukraine war has provided the clearest demonstration of maritime drones' military potential. Ukraine’s use of unmanned systems in the Black Sea, including attacks on Sevastopol Naval Base and other Russian naval assets, showed how relatively inexpensive platforms can challenge a conventionally superior navy. Beyond their tactical impact, these operations compelled Russia to strengthen harbour defences, increase surveillance, relocate assets, and devote additional resources to force protection, generating sea-denial effects disproportionate to cost.

A similar trend is evident in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint. The growing use of unmanned maritime systems by regional and external actors has highlighted both their utility and the vulnerability of key shipping routes. The US Navy’s Task Force 59, which integrates autonomous platforms into maritime security operations, reflects this shift. In June 2026, a Task Force 59 autonomous surface vessel conducted the first known sea-based personnel recovery mission by an unmanned vessel, rescuing the crew of a downed Apache helicopter near the Strait.

Maritime unmanned systems are less expensive than conventional warships, can remain on station for extended periods, reduce risks to personnel, and are particularly effective for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and mine countermeasure missions. When employed in groups, they can also create saturation and swarm effects.

However, limitations remain, including restricted endurance, payload capacity, communication reliability, and vulnerability to electronic warfare, GPS interference, cyber threats, and adverse sea conditions. UUVs face additional communication challenges, relying on low-bandwidth acoustic systems because radio-frequency transmission is ineffective underwater. Emerging solutions such as magnetoelectric antenna technologies, including the BlueME concept proposed by Abdullah et al. (2024), may improve underwater communications but remain in the early stages of development.

Another important trend is the growing emphasis on counter-drone capabilities. Navies are investing in electronic warfare systems, sensor networks, physical barriers, interceptor craft, and other technologies designed to detect and neutralise unmanned threats. As maritime drones become more capable, competition between autonomous systems and counter-autonomous defence is likely to intensify.

The Indian perspective

For India, the implications are significant. The country must secure vast maritime spaces across the Indian Ocean Region, protect offshore infrastructure, monitor critical sea lanes, and maintain awareness around strategically important island territories. Unmanned systems offer a practical means of enhancing maritime domain awareness while controlling operational costs.

The Indian Navy has taken some big steps to not only acquire this capability but to develop indigenous capability to manufacture drones, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) indigenously. Be it the surface, air or underwater domain, a large number of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) schemes and “Make” cases are flagship initiatives from the ministry of defence. This has brought a market focus on ‘Make in India’ right from the design stage to the final product. Extra Large AUVs (XLAUVs) with high endurance, ASVs, and AUVs that were earlier inducted through import are now being delivered indigenously with ‘Indigenous Centres of Excellence’ that have ushered in a big change and confidence in indigenous solutions.

The Indian industry has already begun responding to this requirement and is adapting to the evolving demands.  Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), a premier defence PSU shipyard based in Kolkata, to its part, has continually evolved with advancing maritime technologies. GRSE has also participated in the Indian Navy Make cases for several autonomous vessels applications – both surface and sub-surface. GRSE is evolving from a traditional warship builder into a developer of integrated unmanned maritime solutions and is investing heavily in the R&D for the development of these state-of-the-art technology products with its industry partners to ensure that this technology is totally imbibed and indigenous.

GRSE has emerged as a key contributor to India's autonomous maritime technology ecosystem and commenced this journey with the Swadheen, an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), designed for hydrographic surveys, mine hunting, reconnaissance, and maritime surveillance. This was followed by Neerakshi, an AUV launched in 2023 for underwater inspection, mine detection, hydrographic surveys, search-and-rescue support, and anti-submarine warfare training. In 2024, GRSE developed Jaldoot, another USV capable of autonomous navigation, communication relay, underwater vehicle tracking, survey missions, and surveillance. GRSE also designed and built four Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ships that incorporated UUV/AUV capability, enabling advanced seabed mapping and underwater data collection, and has showcased its capability as an integrator.

Looking ahead, maritime drones are unlikely to replace conventional warships. Instead, they are expected to become integral components of manned–unmanned teaming concepts, in which crewed platforms act as command hubs while unmanned systems perform reconnaissance, surveillance, mine warfare, and other high-risk tasks. The future of naval warfare will not be determined solely by the size of fleets but by how effectively navies integrate crewed and uncrewed capabilities.

All that remains to note is the writing on the wall. The next one year will be very crucial, and India cannot afford to miss the leap onto this technology development curve.

(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.)

About the author 

Rahul Sarkar is a Senior Manager (Electrical Design) at GRSE, specialising in naval automation, Integrated Platform Management Systems (IPMS), and propulsion control systems. With nearly two decades of experience supporting Indian Navy and Coast Guard programmes, his interests include unmanned surface and underwater systems, intelligent ship control, and future naval warfare.