As the maritime domain becomes increasingly contested, the need for advanced surveillance and autonomous platforms is greater than ever. In this edition of On the Shop Floor, Team BharatShakti visits Sagar Defence Engineering, a homegrown technology startup developing cutting-edge unmanned marine systems and drones for the Indian Navy and beyond.
Founded by Nikunj Parashar, Sagar Defence began its journey in 2013 with a vision to bridge the gap in naval ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities.
So how did it all start? When Nikunj Parashar returned to India after working in Denmark, he saw a critical gap in the Indian Navy’s capabilities—unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for surveillance and security. Determined to bridge this gap, he built the first prototype of a radio-controlled target boat in 2013, completing successful trials by 2015. Today, his company, Sagar Defence Engineering, is at the forefront of developing autonomous marine systems and drones, supporting not just the Navy but also organizations like ONGC.
From autonomous surface vessels that operate for over 48 hours to spotter drones deployed in high-stakes naval operations like drug interception in the Gulf of Aden, the company is redefining ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) at sea and has rapidly evolved from building platforms to full-fledged system integration.
With strong ties to the Indian Navy and programs like iDEX, Sagar Defence is shaping the future of maritime security.
Join us in this conversation where we dive into the personal and professional journey of Nikunj Parashar—his transition from sailor to entrepreneur, his insights into the company’s journey, the challenges of building autonomous platforms in India, and the role of autonomous technology in securing India’s waters.
