As undersea data cables face risks from geopolitical tensions and environmental hazards, Coratia Technologies is deploying homegrown robotic solutions to monitor and protect these vital digital lifelines.
- Coratia develops robots for underwater infrastructure inspection and defense.
- The company secured a ₹66 Cr contract with the Indian Navy under the Defence Ministry’s iDEX scheme.
- India’s undersea cable network is critical yet vulnerable, highlighting the need for indigenous robotic capabilities.
What happened
Coratia Technologies, founded in 2021 by graduates of NIT Rourkela, builds indigenous underwater robots aimed at inspecting and securing subsea infrastructure such as cables, pipelines, bridges, and naval assets. The company has developed four robotic products and recently won a ₹66 Cr contract to supply these technologies to the Indian Navy, reinforcing the government’s push for defence technology indigenisation.
This development comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, particularly following threats targeting undersea cable lines in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint carrying nearly a fifth of the world's oil shipments and vital internet data cables connecting India to Europe and Southeast Asia. Coratia’s robots perform remote sensing and pre-emptive surveys to detect and neutralize threats to this infrastructure.
Why it matters
Undersea cables carry approximately 99% of global internet traffic, and damage to them—whether from deliberate attacks or accidents—can disrupt critical services ranging from financial transactions to government communications. For India, connectivity through the Strait of Hormuz is crucial, exposing the country to potential digital and economic vulnerabilities if these cables are compromised.
Currently, India's capabilities for subsea cable repair and underwater infrastructure inspection are limited. Coratia Technologies’ marine robots fill this gap by providing autonomous inspection and threat assessment functions beyond human diver capabilities. Their technology supports national security priorities while contributing to the fast-growing $108.86 million Indian undersea robotics market, projected to reach over $309 million by 2032.
What to watch next
With increasing geopolitical uncertainty and strategic focus on indigenous defence technologies, Coratia Technologies is well-positioned to expand its role in securing undersea infrastructure. Monitoring the deployment and operational effectiveness of its robotic systems with the Indian Navy will provide key insights into their impact on national security and underwater asset integrity.
Additionally, competition from other Indian startups such as Planys Technologies and EyeROV is expected to intensify as the undersea robotics market grows. Innovations in autonomy, remote sensing, and robotics are likely to define future leadership in this sector, which is critical to maintaining the resilience of India’s maritime and digital infrastructure.