Indian marine robotics startup Rekise Marine has secured $9.7 million in fresh funding in a round led by Accel and NKSquared, as the company accelerates the development of autonomous ships, submarines, and advanced underwater defence technologies for the Indian Navy.
The funding round also attracted participation from prominent investors, including Sameer Brij Verma, former partner at Nexus Venture Partners, Sandeep Singhal, co-founder of WestBridge Capital, Industrial47, Singularity AMC, several family offices, founders, and members of the company’s leadership team.
The new capital will be used to strengthen engineering capabilities, expand product development, and support testing of the company’s flagship autonomous underwater vehicle program.
Funding to Accelerate Autonomous Naval Technologies
Rekise Marine plans to use the investment to fast-track the development of autonomous maritime platforms designed for defence and strategic applications.
A major focus will be the advancement of Jalkapi, the company’s autonomous underwater vehicle currently being developed under the Indian Navy’s iDEX ADITI initiative, a program aimed at fostering indigenous defence innovation.
The company also intends to expand its engineering workforce and increase research and development efforts as demand for autonomous defence systems continues to grow globally.
Building the Future of Maritime Defence
Founded in 2017 by Maitrai Maka, a marine robotics specialist with over a decade of industry experience, and Rear Admiral Shekhar Mital (Retd.), a veteran of India’s naval shipbuilding and submarine design ecosystem, Rekise Marine is focused on creating next-generation autonomous maritime systems.
The Bengaluru-based startup develops both autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), handling everything from vessel design and systems integration to software development and mission autonomy.
The company believes autonomous platforms will play a critical role in the future of naval warfare, surveillance, maritime security, and underwater operations.
Why Autonomous Naval Systems Matter
According to industry experts, traditional naval platforms are expensive to build, require large crews, and often take years to deploy.
Autonomous systems offer a different approach.
They can be manufactured faster, deployed in larger numbers, and operate with minimal human intervention. These systems also enable navies to conduct missions in high-risk environments while reducing operational costs and personnel exposure.
Rekise Marine believes advances in artificial intelligence, autonomy, and robotics are transforming maritime defence strategies worldwide.
As countries increasingly seek to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities and reduce reliance on imported technologies, autonomous naval platforms are becoming a strategic priority.
Portfolio of Autonomous Maritime Platforms
Rekise Marine currently has four core products either deployed, undergoing trials, or in active development.
Jaldoot
An autonomous surface vessel already delivered to India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) through Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
Swadheen
An autonomous survey vessel that has successfully completed sea trials in the Bay of Bengal and is designed for maritime mapping and reconnaissance missions.
Portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
A compact underwater drone developed for applications such as mine detection, underwater inspection, and tactical missions.
Jalkapi
The company’s flagship autonomous submarine platform currently under development for defence applications. Sea trials are expected to begin later this year.
AI-Powered Software Platform Creates Competitive Advantage
One of Rekise Marine’s key differentiators is its proprietary software architecture.
The company has developed a common autonomy platform capable of operating across a wide range of maritime vehicles, from lightweight underwater drones weighing approximately 50 kilograms to large autonomous submarines weighing up to 20 tonnes.
This scalable software infrastructure enables faster development, easier deployment, and greater operational flexibility across different mission requirements.
The platform integrates artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation, mission planning, communication systems, and real-time decision-making capabilities.
Rising Investor Interest in Defence Technology
The funding comes amid growing investor interest in defence technology, autonomous systems, and deeptech startups.
Governments worldwide are increasing investments in unmanned systems, AI-enabled defence platforms, and maritime security technologies as geopolitical tensions and national security priorities evolve.
India has also been actively promoting indigenous defence innovation through initiatives such as iDEX, creating opportunities for startups developing advanced technologies for military applications.
The country’s focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing has encouraged the emergence of a new generation of startups building solutions across aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and advanced engineering.
Outlook
With fresh funding, strong investor backing, and a growing portfolio of autonomous maritime platforms, Rekise Marine is positioning itself as a significant player in India’s emerging defence technology ecosystem.
As navies increasingly adopt autonomous vessels, underwater drones, and AI-driven maritime systems, the company aims to contribute to the next generation of naval capabilities while supporting India’s broader defence modernization goals.
The latest investment marks an important milestone in Rekise Marine’s mission to develop indigenous autonomous technologies capable of strengthening maritime security and advancing the future of naval operations.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape. She has written extensively on fintech, AI and emerging startups.