Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence visits Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, under the chairmanship of Shri Radha Mohan Singh, undertook an on-the-spot study visit to Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam on January 20, 2026. The committee witnessed NSTL-developed products like Torpedos (ALWT, Varunastraand EHWT), Mines (MIGM and PBGM), Decoys (SFD, Torbuster), SMART, HEAUV, SWARM, under water systems, under water vehicles, products and other associated under water weapon technologies.

The committee also witnessed the live demonstration of hydro-dynamic testing on scale-down model of a ship at the Sea-keeping and Manoeuvring Basin test facility. The delegation appreciated NSTL’s R&D efforts in the development of underwater platforms, weapons, associated products and technologies to cater the requirements of the Indian Navy.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, DG (Naval Systems & Materials) Dr RV Hara Prasad and Director, NSTL Dr Abraham Varughese welcomed the delegation comprising Members of Parliament, Officials from Lok Sabha Secretariat and Ministry of Defence.

The Director, NSTL briefed the Committee on the R&D activities being pursued at NSTL, including the industry and academia interactions. He also briefly explained about the future technology roadmap of the lab. The committee appreciated the R&D efforts of NSTL in the strategically important area of Maritime Domain Awareness and Underwater Domain Awareness.