India to Host World’s First Autonomous Maritime Shipyard in Andhra Pradesh

India Advances Autonomous Maritime Technology With New Shipyard in Andhra Pradesh

India has taken a significant leap in next-generation maritime innovation with the allotment of land to Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd for establishing the world’s first autonomous maritime shipyard and systems centre in Andhra Pradesh. The project is expected to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing while positioning India as a global hub for autonomous ocean technologies.

Land Allotment and Strategic Location

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved the allotment of 29.58 acres at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour in Bogolu Mandal, SPSR Nellore district . The coastal site offers immediate access to open-sea and nearshore testing zones, which is critical for validating autonomous surface and underwater platforms. The decision aligns with the state’s strategy to attract high-end defence manufacturing and marine technology investments.

Company Profile and Technology Vision

Founded in 2015 , Sagar Defence Engineering specialises in unmanned and autonomous systems across maritime, aerial and land domains. The firm delivers solutions for defence, commercial and scientific applications, including surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance and logistics. Its long-term vision includes developing a “Digital Ocean” , where autonomous platforms continuously collect and process real-time maritime data.

Impact on Defence and Commercial Shipping

The proposed facility will integrate design, construction, testing and deployment of autonomous vessels under one ecosystem. It is expected to reduce reliance on foreign testing infrastructure, shorten innovation timelines and improve operational readiness of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. Commercial sectors such as shipping, offshore operations and port management are also set to benefit from efficiency gains and reduced operational risks.

Broader National Significance

Beyond defence, the centre will support applications in logistics, fisheries monitoring, disaster response and environmental surveillance . The initiative aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision by building domestic expertise, encouraging advanced R&D and creating a future-ready maritime workforce.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd was founded in 2015 .

• The project site is in SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh .

• Autonomous maritime systems rely on AI, robotics and data analytics .

• The facility includes a dedicated Maritime Test Centre .