IndianNavy - Corporate Updates

Apollo Micro, IIT-Chennai, Navy partner for defence tech

Apollo Micro Systems (AMS) has entered into a three-way Memorandum of Understanding with IIT-Chennai and the Indian Navy’s Directorate General of Naval Armament Inspection (DGNAI) to fast-track the development of indigenous defence technologies. The agreement was formalised at the Swavalamban 2025 event in New Delhi on 25 November.

The partnership brings together three crucial strengths, academic research, industrial manufacturing, and military operational expertise. Under the arrangement, IIT-Chennai will focus on research, conceptual design and technology development. Apollo Micro Systems will take these concepts forward by building prototypes, refining them for real-world use and enabling large-scale manufacturing. The DGNAI will guide the development with domain knowledge, oversee testing, and ensure compliance with military standards before any system is deployed.

The pact aims to address both current and future defence needs, especially in critical areas such as electronic-warfare systems, precision-guidance technologies, advanced control systems and high-energy armament solutions. Many of these innovations can later be adapted for the Army, Air Force and even space-related applications.

AMS’ leadership described the alliance as a powerful model for strengthening India’s defence ecosystem, one that blends innovation from academia with industrial capability and operational insight. The company believes this partnership will support the country’s long-term goal of reducing dependence on imported defence technology.

The announcement generated strong market interest, with AMS shares rising around 5% after the MoU was made public, reflecting investor optimism about future defence orders and the company’s expanded role in the indigenisation push.

The collaboration is expected to accelerate the journey from lab-scale research to field-ready systems, reinforcing India’s efforts to build advanced, home-grown defence capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.

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Indian Navy commissions INS Mahe

The Indian Navy has officially commissioned INS Mahe, a new anti-submarine warfare ship, at a ceremony in Mumbai. The event was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, highlighting cooperation between India’s armed forces.

INS Mahe is the first ship of the Mahe-class shallow water vessels, designed and built in India at Cochin Shipyard Limited. Around 80% of its parts are indigenous, reflecting India’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The ship is 78 metres long, weighs about 1,100 tonnes, and is built for coastal and shallow water operations, where larger ships cannot operate effectively.

The ship’s name, Mahe, comes from a coastal town in Kerala, connecting it to India’s maritime heritage. Its crest shows an “Urumi”, a flexible sword from the Kalarippayattu martial art, symbolizing agility and precision. The ship’s mascot is a cheetah, representing speed, and its motto is “Silent Hunters”, reflecting its quiet operations under the sea.

The ship uses a diesel-engine water-jet propulsion system, giving it speed, agility, and stealth. Its main mission is anti-submarine warfare, but it can also carry out underwater surveillance, mine-laying, coastal patrols, and low-intensity operations. INS Mahe is equipped with lightweight torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets to engage enemy submarines. It also has modern sonar and radar systems, along with noise-reducing technology for stealthy operations.

Naval officials said the commissioning of INS Mahe strengthens India’s coastal defense and demonstrates the country’s ability to build modern warships locally. INS Mahe is the first of eight Mahe-class ships planned by Cochin Shipyard, which will gradually replace older vessels in the Navy’s shallow-water anti-submarine fleet.

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