India's first manned deep ocean mission at 6,000 m depth to be launched by 2026 end

India's first manned deep ocean mission 'Samudrayaan' into a 6,000-metre depth 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 has said.

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KOCHI: India's first manned deep ocean mission 'Samudrayaan' into a 6,000-metre depth 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 has said.

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) here on Tuesday.

"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.