Introduction

India recently conducted a successful test of the Matsya-6000 submersible, capable of descending to 6,000 metres below the ocean surface. This marks a crucial step under India’s Samudrayaan programme aimed at tapping deep-sea resources and enhancing national capabilities for underwater missions.

Why the deep sea matters

• The global race for deep sea exploration is intensifying due to competition for rare earth elements, minerals, and strategic resources beneath the ocean floor.
• The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s coast, making underwater sovereignty and exploration a national priority.
• The average depth of the Indian EEZ is around 3,741 metres. It requires specialised technology to access and operate at such depths.

India’s technological initiative

• Matsya-6000, developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, is an indigenous submersible designed to conduct exploration missions at extreme oceanic depths.
• The submersible is part of the broader Deep Ocean Mission under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Strategic importance and scientific benefits

• The deep sea holds potential for mining polymetallic nodules, manganese crusts, and other valuable resources used in electronics and clean energy.
• India’s efforts are aligned with global practices led by countries like China, the US, France, and Japan, which are ahead in developing deep sea capabilities.
• Deep-sea exploration aids in climate modelling, disaster prediction, and telecommunication infrastructure through undersea cables.

China’s lead and India’s challenge

• China has launched a deep-sea cable-sawing device for underwater warfare and communications disruption, signalling growing defence use of underwater tech.
• India’s deep-sea capacity lags behind but shows promise with its Matsya initiative.

Challenges in deep-sea exploration

• The pressure at 6,000 metres is 600 times that at sea level.
• Communication is difficult as conventional radio waves don’t propagate well underwater; thus, Very Low Frequency (VLF) and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) technologies are required.
• Development requires high-end sensors, AI systems, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

What India must do

• Invest in deep-sea science and underwater technologies such as robotics, AI-enabled navigation, and cable-laying infrastructure.
• Foster academic-industry collaboration for equipment development and operation.
• Expand underwater capabilities in naval security, marine research, and resource exploration.

Conclusion

India’s launch of the Matsya-6000 is a strategic move toward securing oceanic resources and protecting maritime interests. Sustained investment in R&D, manpower training, and international collaboration will be essential for establishing India as a serious player in deep sea exploration.

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