India set to enter select club as Navy readies to get delivery of weaponised unmanned intercept craft

New Delhi: Indian Navy is set to get the delivery of the first batch of the country’s first-of-its-kind autonomous weaponised unmanned fast interceptor crafts (FICs) from a Pune-based defence company, Sagar Defence Engineering, that will help the naval force in securing its maritime boundaries and give a big boost to its special missions along the Indian coast. With the induction of these unmanned weaponised crafts in the Navy, India will join the league of countries that possesses the technology to develop weaponised swarm (vessel) capability.The first batch of two new FICs from Sagar Defence’s Pune factory was dispatched to the Navy on Friday for deployment “somewhere in the west coast”, sources told TOI. The Navy had placed orders for 12 such weaponised boat swarms after signing a deal with Sagar Defence on Jan 5 in 2022. Designed, developed and manufactured entirely in India, FIC stands as a testament to the nation’s vision of self-reliance in defence technologies under the iDEX–DIO framework. Till now, the Navy has been dependent on Israel-made unmanned surface vessels and that too for only mine counter-measure purpose. First batch of two interceptors being dispatched to the Navy from the Pune factory of Sagar Defence on FridayThe unmanned interceptor craft is fitted with a 12.7 mm gun for close-range firepower and also equipped with the capability to deploy short-range missiles and loitering ammunition. Multiple fast interceptor crafts can be controlled from a single control station, multiplying force projection while reducing risk to human operators.One of the most striking features of this interceptor craft is its ability to operate in a GPS-denied environment. Advanced navigation systems allow the craft to function reliably even under electronic warfare conditions, ensuring mission continuity where conventional platforms may falter. With an endurance exceeding two days at sea, the vessel offers sustained operational presence, enhancing maritime domain awareness.Despite its unmanned nature, the craft is still capable of carrying over 14 personnel when required for special missions, adding to its operational flexibility for coastal operations, rapid insertion or evacuation roles. This layered weapon architecture enables the craft to respond decisively to a wide spectrum of threats, from asymmetric maritime challenges to high-intensity combat scenarios. Its operational range of over 400 nautical miles or approximately 800 km, positions it as a formidable asset for extended patrols and rapid response operations.This technology capability is aligned with emerging global trends in network-centric and autonomous warfare, placing India firmly at the forefront of naval innovation.