Halol: Krishna Defence and Allied Industries Ltd (KDAIL) hosted a ceremonial plate-cutting event on June 10th, 2025, at their facility in Halol to mark the commencement of construction on the country’s largest and most advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), designed by the Indian Navy.

According to an official statement by the company, this event signifies the beginning of a landmark defence initiative aligned with the values of the Make in India campaign.

The event was attended by Vice Admiral R. Swaminathan, AVSM, NM (CWP&A), and other senior officials from the Indian Navy, highlighting its importance in advancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities.

The Indian Navy has successfully brought together several companies—including KDAIL, Rekise Marine, and SAIL—to collaborate on building this complex platform.

Addressing the delegation, Ankur Shah, Managing Director of KDAIL, said, “This project isn’t just about building a vehicle; it’s about building technical and strategic independence. Today, we are laying the foundation for a new era of underwater autonomy and a future in which India is no longer just participating, but leading. We are proud to be trusted by the Indian Navy as their partner in this mission.”

This ambitious unmanned underwater project of the Indian Navy—the Jalkapi Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV)—was first unveiled in design form at Aero India 2025, held in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14.

According to details, the Jalkapi measures 11 meters in length and features a streamlined cylindrical hull designed to enhance stealth and underwater maneuverability. Weighing 20 tons, this sophisticated vehicle can dive to depths of up to 300 meters and remain operational for 30 to 45 days—comparable to international counterparts like Boeing’s Orca XLUUV.

Designed as per specifications from the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design – Submarine Design Group (DND-SDG), the Jalkapi is equipped with an advanced suite of technologies.

As per reports, the submarine will take around 18 months to build, involving a team of over 100 people, including engineers and technicians. Once the structural build is completed in Halol, other companies will handle electronic integration. The fully assembled submarine will then be handed over to the Indian Navy. DeshGujarat