| Established | 1958 |
|---|---|
| Director | Dr. Duvvuri Seshagiri |
| Address | Thrikkakara P.O., Kochi - 682 021. |
| Location | Kochi,Kerala |
Operating agency | DRDO |
| Website | [1] |
TheNaval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory orNPOL is alaboratory of theDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under theMinistry of Defence,India. It is situated inThrikkakara,Kochi,Kerala. NPOL is responsible for theresearch and development ofsonar systems, technologies for underwater surveillance, study of ocean environment and underwater materials.[1]
The Indian Naval Physical Laboratory (INPL) was established inKochi by theIndian Navy in 1952. It worked initially as a field laboratory for fleet support activities. It was merged with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1958 and started working on underwater systems. INPL was rechristened as Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL).
Till 1990, NPOL functioned from within the Naval Base inKochi. In 1990, it moved into a new 60-acre (240,000 m2) campus atThrikkakara, a suburb of Kochi. The new campus has a main technical complex and two residential complexes - SAGAR and VARUNA. The technical complex houses the main building, Abhinavam building and several test facilities including an acoustic tank. Besides the campus in Thrikkakara, NPOL has an offsite setup of underwater acoustic research facility atIdukki Lake, 100 km east of Kochi. Since 1995, NPOL has operatedINS Sagardhwani, a 2000-tonoceanographicresearch vessel used for oceanographic data collection.
NPOL is developing a technology called seabed arrays that will be laid over the seabed surface for ocean surveillance which will provide measurements and inform the control centre about the happenings underneath through satellite. DRDO is planning a dedicated satellite for the coastal surveillance system.
All the future inductions planned by the Indian Navy are to be fitted with NPOL designed sonars. The sonars under development are HUMSA NG (upgrade of the HUMSA sonar), the submarine sonarsUSHUS (for theSindhugosh class) and PAYAL for theArihant class.[1]
Underwater acoustics is another area which NPOL is looking at. The Physical Oceanographic conditions which will decide the propagation of the sound waves inside water is studied with the help of DRDO's Research VesselINS Sagardhwani and in-house developed Ocean models. Different Sonar Range Prediction models are also developed by NPOL in the recent years which are used by Indian Navy.[2][3]
On 29 October 2024, NPOL placed an order for a new Acoustic Research Ship (ARS) with theGarden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers,Kolkata. The order worth₹490.98crore (US$58 million) was signed inKochi. The ARS will have an overall length of 90 m (300 ft) and a beam of 14 m (46 ft). It will be able to achieve speeds ranging up to 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph). The ship will have a minimum endurance of 30 days or 4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi). It will have a complement of 70 personnel. The vessel will havediesel-electric propulsion and 3deck cranes will be fitted on board to handle research equipment. The ARS will be able to deploy, tow, and retrieve a variety of equipment, including acoustic modules; conduct high-resolution surveys of sound velocity profiles in time and/or space; and gather data on ocean tides and currents for use in survey optimisation, underwater mooring design, and offshore deployments. Additionally, it will be able to launch, moor, and maintain independentsonobuoys as well as gather data from them. The ship will be able to conduct acoustic system experiments at various speed regimes while remaining silent due to its broad speed range. The ARS will also be equipped with a dynamic positioning mechanism that will enable it to hold its place untilSea State 4.[4]
On 3 July 2025, India and Australia launched a three-year joint research initiative to strengthen undersea surveillance capabilities, focusing on the detection and tracking of submarines and autonomous underwater vehicles. The project marks the first formal science and technology collaboration between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), specifically its Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), and Australia’sDefence Science and Technology Group's (DSTG) Information Sciences Division. Central to the effort is the development of advanced algorithms forTowed ArrayTarget Motion Analysis (TMA), which employshydrophone arrays to passively monitor underwateracoustic signatures. The collaboration involves field trials, data sharing, and performance evaluation aimed at improving the reliability, efficiency, and interoperability of undersea detection systems. Strategically, the project aligns with broader maritime domain awareness goals within theQuad framework, amid rising underwater security challenges in theIndo-Pacific region.[5][6][7]
Defence Research and Development Organisation Laboratories | |
|---|---|
| Aeronautical Systems | |
| Armament & Combat Engineering Systems | |
| Electronics and Communication Systems | |
| Life Sciences | |
| Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems & Cyber Systems | |
| Missiles and Strategic Systems | |
| Naval Systems and Materials | |
| Human Resources | |
| System Analysis & Modelling | |
| Corporate Directorates | |
| Research Boards | |
| DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories | |
| Other Related Body/Institute | |
10°01′34″N76°20′02″E / 10.026°N 76.334°E /10.026; 76.334
 | This article about government in India is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | This military article about theIndian Armed Forces is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | Thisoceanography article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | This naval article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
