India’s deep-ocean mission aims to unlock strategic mineral wealth and reduce critical imports
India’s first manned deep ocean mission ‘Samudrayaan’, which will reach depth of 6,000-metre using the manned submersible vehicle ‘Matsya’, is expected to be launched by the end of 2026, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) Director Balaji Ramakrishnan said on May 13.
He was speaking after inaugurating a five-day national training programme on the ‘role of fisheries in the blue economy’ at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
"The mission will enable deep-sea exploration down to 6000 metres, carrying three scientists on board ‘Matsya.’ The NIOT, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the implementing nodal agency of the deep ocean mission," he said.
Developed with India’s indigenous technology, this advanced 25-tonne 4th generation vehicle is specifically engineered to withstand extreme pressure and temperature in the deeper ocean, with a hull made of titanium.
"This mission is expected to be a game-changer for India's deep-sea research, opening avenues for the assessment of both living and non-living resources in the deep ocean, comprehensive ocean observation, and the potential for deep-sea tourism," Ramakrishnan said.
The launch is planned as a step-by-step process, and a crucial phase of the 500 m depth trial is anticipated by the end of this year," he said, adding the journey to dive deep will take four hours, and the same time is expected to come out.
Potential of Deep Sea
India is set to become the sixth country to have its own deep-sea mission for marine biodiversity observation and resource exploration.
According to Ministry of Earth Sciences, the government of India had signed a 15-year contract with International Seabed Authority (ISA) in 2002 for exploration of polymetallic nodules from Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
Extensive surveys and other developmental activities have been carried out in the 75000 sq km area retained by India in CIOB. Preliminary estimates indicate that the region holds about 380 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of Polymetallic Nodules comprising Copper, Nickel, Cobalt and Manganese, within the allocated zone. The estimated value of these metals is approximately $110 billion.
According to the ministry, even utilising just 10% of these resources could meet India’s energy needs for 100 years and significantly reduce dependence on imported critical minerals.