This Odisha startup wins ₹66 Crore Navy Deal with Indigenous Underwater Robots
While most engineering graduates chase campus placements, two friends from NIT Rourkela chose a different path, building robots that work deep underwater. Today, their startup Coratia Technologies is one of the few Indian companies making indigenous Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). In a major boost, the company has secured a ₹66 crore contract from the Indian Navy under the iDEX initiative.
This is not just another defence deal. It marks a significant step in India’s quest for self-reliance in underwater robotics and marine technology.
From College Project to DeepTech Reality
Coratia’s story began as a student project at NIT Rourkela. Debendra Pradhan and Biswajit Swain, both mechanical engineering graduates from the 2017 batch, were part of a research team building underwater robots. They won a Ministry of Earth Sciences challenge to develop a robot that could navigate underwater autonomously and hit a target.
The experience opened their eyes to how underdeveloped India’s underwater robotics ecosystem was. After working in corporate jobs in India and abroad, the duo returned to Rourkela in 2021 and founded Coratia Technologies.
Headquartered in Rourkela, Odisha, the company is incubated at NIT Rourkela’s Foundation for Technology and Business Incubation (FTBI) and STPI Bhubaneswar. It has received grants from various government bodies including NGIS, MeitY, DST, and Startup Odisha.
Robots That Go Where Divers Can’t
Underwater inspection is dangerous, expensive, and time-consuming when done manually. Coratia builds robots to replace human divers in high-risk environments.
The company develops two main types of machines:
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs): Controlled from the surface via a tether, equipped with cameras, sonar, and positioning systems.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): These navigate independently without human control.
Both are designed to work in low-visibility, murky waters where satellite navigation doesn’t work. Coratia adds AI-powered inspection capabilities, including non-destructive testing that assesses structural health without damaging assets.
Their robots inspect and monitor critical infrastructure: bridge piers, dams, ship hulls, pipelines, docks, and undersea data cables. The latter is particularly strategic — India’s internet backbone relies heavily on undersea cables, and domestic capability to inspect and maintain them is still evolving.
Dual-Use Technology Serving Industry and Defence
One of Coratia’s strengths is its ability to serve both commercial and defence sectors with similar core technology.
On the civilian side, customers include Indian Railways, SAIL, IOCL, Tata Steel, and the National Institute of Oceanography. The company provides customised underwater inspection services for these organisations.
On the defence side, the breakthrough came in September 2025 when the Indian Navy signed a ₹66 crore contract for indigenous underwater ROVs under the Ministry of Defence’s iDEX scheme.
Co-founder & CTO Biswajit Swain noted, “Induction of indigenous UWROVs not only reduces costs and reliance on foreign suppliers but also combats trade restrictions and tariff uncertainties.”
This contract validates Coratia’s technology and opens doors for larger-scale production and deployment.
Impressive Early Traction
Founded: 2021
Team Size: ~32 people
Funding Raised: ~₹22 crore ($2.7M) from Piper Serica Angel Fund, MGF Kavachh, Pontaq Ventures, plus government grants
Business Model: B2B and B2G (Business-to-Government)
The company appeared on Shark Tank India, which helped raise visibility before the big Navy order.
Why This Matters for India
Underwater robotics is a critical strategic domain. Most advanced capabilities are currently concentrated in a few countries. By building indigenous ROVs and AUVs, Coratia is contributing to India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in the blue economy and maritime security.
The startup is also helping reduce India’s dependence on expensive foreign technology for critical infrastructure inspection. From checking dams for cracks to securing naval assets, these robots are becoming essential tools.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Deep-sea robotics is a complex field requiring high levels of precision, reliability, and innovation. Coratia still faces challenges around scaling production, improving battery life and autonomy, and competing with established global players.
However, strong government support through iDEX, Startup India, and state-level initiatives gives the company a solid platform to grow.
The founders’ vision is clear: make India self-sufficient in underwater robotics while building a sustainable business that serves both defence and commercial needs.
A New Chapter for Odisha’s DeepTech Ecosystem
Coratia’s success highlights the growing potential of Tier-2 cities like Rourkela in India’s deeptech revolution. With access to talent from NIT Rourkela and supportive incubation ecosystems, Odisha is slowly emerging as a player in advanced robotics and marine technology.
For young engineers across India, Coratia’s journey sends a powerful message you don’t always need to move to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, or Pune to build cutting-edge technology. Sometimes, the best ideas are born in your own backyard.
From a college project to a ₹66 crore Navy contract in just a few years, Coratia Technologies is proving that India’s private sector is ready to take on complex, high-stakes challenges in strategic sectors.
The underwater domain is the next frontier. And a small team from Rourkela is already making waves.