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An Indian defence company has opened a new manufacturing facility in Pune dedicated to producing Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs), marking a major step in its collaboration with Liquid Robotics, a Boeing company. The plant will focus on locally building the Wave Glider-an energy-efficient USV powered by waves and solar energy that supports long-duration undersea surveillance and real-time data sharing. The facility will also handle ocean testing and long-term servicing. Positioned under the US-India defence partnership, the collaboration aims to expand co-production and technological capacity. Company leaders said the new unit aligns with India's 'Make in India' vision and will strengthen maritime domain awareness while reducing reliance on imported systems.
An Indian defence company inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Pune earlier this week, establishing a dedicated unit for the production of Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs). The plant has been introduced as part of the firm's ongoing collaboration with Liquid Robotics, a Boeing company, with whom it had announced plans earlier this year to jointly develop and produce advanced maritime systems. Advertisement
According to the official statement, the new facility highlights the shared intent of Liquid Robotics and Sagar Defence Engineering to strengthen India's defence industrial base through local production. The unit will focus on building USVs designed to enhance undersea domain awareness, particularly through the production of the Wave Glider platform, which Liquid Robotics describes as one of the most proven USV systems globally.
The Wave Glider operates entirely on wave and solar energy, allowing it to remain deployed for extended durations while delivering real-time data and communication support for various maritime applications. The new Pune plant will enable manufacturing, ocean testing, and long-term servicing of these systems within India.
The collaboration has been positioned as part of the broader US-India Major Defence Partnership framework, intended to expand co-production, strengthen industry participation, and develop production capacity across the Indo-Pacific region.
Capt Nikunj Parashar, founder of Sagar Defence Engineering, stated that the facility marked a significant milestone for the firm and for India's defence ecosystem, adding that local manufacturing aligned with the country's 'Make in India' vision. Salil Gupte, president of Boeing India and South Asia, said the facility reflected the progress in the bilateral defence partnership, emphasising that it translated strategic intent into tangible capability-building.
Shane Goodenough, CEO of Liquid Robotics, commented that the inauguration represented an important step in its collaboration with Sagar Defence. He noted that local production would accelerate deployment timelines and improve the sustainability of Wave Glider operations.
The Pune facility represents a strategic shift in India's defence manufacturing landscape, combining domestic innovation with international technological expertise. By supporting the joint development and production of USVs, the new unit is expected to strengthen undersea surveillance capabilities and reduce dependence on imported systems.
Source - PTI
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