Apollo Micro Systems Limited (AMS) has secured a Make-II Prototype Sanction Order (PSO) from the Indian Navy for the development of SAVIOR-ASW (Semi-Submersible Autonomous Vessel for Intelligence, Operations and Reconnaissance), marking the company’s entry into the field of autonomous maritime and underwater warfare systems. The order is one of the most significant indigenous defence technology milestones for the company and reinforces India’s efforts to strengthen self-reliance in advanced naval capabilities.
The Prototype Sanction Order has been issued under the Ministry of Defence’s Make-II category, a key initiative under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) that encourages Indian companies to develop advanced indigenous defence systems. Under this framework, successful prototypes are considered for large-scale procurement by the armed forces, enabling domestic manufacturers to develop cutting-edge military technologies for national requirements.
Apollo Micro Systems said the sanction order represents the Indian Navy’s confidence in the company’s capability to design and develop an advanced autonomous maritime surveillance platform entirely in India.
The SAVIOR-ASW is being developed as India’s first indigenous semi-submersible autonomous vessel dedicated to anti-submarine warfare (ASW) surveillance. The unmanned platform is designed to operate independently for extended periods beneath the sea surface while conducting continuous underwater surveillance.
Equipped with an advanced hydrophone array, the vessel will detect submarines and underwater threats by monitoring acoustic signatures and transmitting real-time intelligence to naval command centres onshore and onboard naval vessels. Operating without onboard crew, the platform is expected to strengthen India’s maritime surveillance capabilities while reducing operational risks and costs.
The project assumes greater significance as the Indian Ocean Region continues to emerge as one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors. Around 100,000 merchant vessels pass through the region every year, carrying nearly 30 percent of global container traffic and about 42 percent of crude oil traded within and from the region. For India, nearly 95 percent of trade by volume and around 68 percent by value is transported by sea, making maritime security a national priority.
With increasing submarine activity and evolving underwater threats across the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy is placing greater emphasis on persistent surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The SAVIOR-ASW platform is expected to provide continuous autonomous monitoring of large maritime areas, enabling early detection of underwater threats while supporting strategic maritime operations.
Compared with conventional anti-submarine warfare frigates, which require significant capital investment and operating expenditure, autonomous unmanned platforms offer a more cost-effective solution for long-duration surveillance missions. Multiple SAVIOR-ASW vessels can be deployed simultaneously to monitor wider areas, allowing frontline warships to focus on combat and strategic missions while improving overall maritime domain awareness.
Commenting on the development, Baddam Karunakar Reddy, Managing Director of Apollo Micro Systems, described the order as a defining milestone for the company. He said the programme reflects years of investment in indigenous defence electronics and mission-critical systems and represents an important step towards building sovereign technologies for India’s maritime security. He added that autonomous, intelligent and networked systems will play a central role in future warfare, and the company is committed to supporting India’s leadership in these emerging technologies.
Apollo Micro Systems also acknowledged the contribution of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), stating that its earlier participation in underwater warfare programmes helped build the technological expertise required for developing such advanced systems.
Established over four decades ago, Apollo Micro Systems designs, develops and manufactures advanced electronic, electro-mechanical and engineering systems for the defence sector. The company continues to expand its capabilities in indigenous defence technologies, positioning itself as a leading design and manufacturing partner for India’s strategic defence programmes.
