• Amphibious hovercraft set to bring homegrown versatility to India’s Coastline 

 By Sangeeta Saxena

 Paris/New Delhi. 17 November 2024. At Euronaval 2024, ADU had the opportunity to speak with the team from Eurotech Pivot Solutions, an Indian start-up actually trying to ride the waves in the defence sector with its indigenous hovercraft technology. The company had a unique position at the C-Innovation area, showcasing its capabilities alongside several international start-ups. We delved into the development journey, potential applications in military as well as civilian sectors, and the company’s plans for expansion. The conversation with Chairman Eurotech Pivot Solutions K. Chandrasekar & Matt Robson the company’s  Special Projects Director highlights the significance of this indigenous innovation in reducing India’s dependency on foreign-made amphibious vehicles.

ADU.  You’re here at the Seannovation area for start-ups. What brings Eurotech Pivot Solutions, an Indian start-up, to this event?

K. Chandrasekar. We applied for the Seannovation section to showcase our technology as part of a group of selected French and international companies. Eurotech Pivot Solutions has developed India’s first indigenous hovercraft, an amphibious ten-seater vehicle designed for both military and commercial applications. It can operate on various surfaces, including water of any depth, making it versatile for India’s extensive coastline and inland waterways.

ADU. What are some of the potential applications for this hovercraft in India?

 K. Chandrasekar. The hovercraft is ideal for several roles, including search and rescue, border security, environmental monitoring, and cargo movement. In tricky environments like Sir Creek, where traditional vehicles struggle, our amphibious craft offers a significant advantage. It’s designed to move quickly and safely, catering to both defence and civilian needs such as water taxis and commuter services.

ADU. We understand you participated in the IDEX challenge in India. Can you tell us more about that?

K. Chandrasekar. Yes, that’s correct. We are collaborating with IDEX and ADITI 2.0 for an upcoming challenge that focuses on research, development, and prototyping of a large air cushion vehicle. This challenge, closing on November 11th, is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our capabilities and push the development of hovercraft technology in India.

 ADU. Does the hovercraft have potential civilian applications as well?

 Matt Robson. Absolutely. In the civilian sector, hovercrafts can serve as water taxis, commuter vehicles, and more. They are already in use in countries like Canada, England, and Japan. Historically, the Indian Coast Guard has relied on foreign-manufactured hovercraft due to a lack of domestic options. We are now working to fill this gap with our indigenous solution.

 ADU. Could you tell us more about the company’s background and your entry into the defense sector?

 Matt Robson. Our parent company started in 1979, mainly focusing on special-purpose machinery. In 2021, we launched Eurotech Pivot Solutions as a start-up, driven by Mr. Chandrasekar’s daughter, a woman entrepreneur. This new venture is dedicated to the defence sector, and our hovercraft is the first 100% indigenous model made in India. We have a highly skilled design and technical team, capable of building hovercrafts with capacities up to 300 passengers, customized to meet specific military needs.

 ADU. You mentioned collaborations with international partners. Could you elaborate on these partnerships?

 Matt Robson. Yes, we have existing tie-ups with Russian and American companies to integrate advanced technologies into our products. While our current prototype is fully indigenous, we plan to incorporate foreign technologies in future versions, following the “Make in India” initiative. Our goal is to maintain a high level of indigenization, with over 70-75% of components sourced locally.

 ADU. When can we expect to see this hovercraft ready for deployment with the Indian forces?

 K. Chandrasekar. We developed this prototype to prove our capability to manufacture such a craft. We have already approached various Indian agencies like the Coast Guard, Navy, Army, and BSF. However, given the formalities and processes involved in defense procurement, it might take some time. We are ready to meet any requirements as they come, and we are participating in the IDEX challenge to further showcase our readiness.

ADU. Do you have the manufacturing facilities in place to scale production if you receive large orders?

 K. Chandrasekar. Yes, we have the facilities to manufacture hovercrafts with up to ten-seater capacity. For larger models requested by the Coast Guard or other agencies, we have identified a site near the waterfront where we can expand our production capabilities. Once we secure the orders, we are prepared to scale up accordingly.

ADU. You have an extensive background in exporting special-purpose machinery. How does this experience support your new venture?

 K Chandrasekar. Our existing company has exported equipment to over 30 countries, including South America, Europe, and Asia. We specialize in engine service equipment and machinery for industries like nuclear power, thermal power, steel, and cement. This experience gives us a solid foundation in manufacturing and global market outreach, which we can leverage for our hovercraft business.

 ADU. Are there plans to expand your market reach to Africa and other regions?

 Matt Robson. Yes, we are actively exploring opportunities in Africa. Before COVID-19, we even had a facility in Senegal, which we plan to revive when the time is right. Additionally, we have a strong presence in Europe, where we regularly participate in exhibitions like Germany’s SMM. We are well-positioned to tap into new markets as we grow our defence and civilian product lines.

Eurotech Pivot Solutions is carving a niche for itself in the defence and maritime sectors with its indigenous hovercraft technology. As the first of its kind in India, this amphibious vehicle offers versatile applications in both military and civilian sectors, presenting a homegrown alternative to traditionally imported solutions. With a strong foundation in special-purpose machinery and established international partnerships, Eurotech is poised for rapid expansion, demonstrating India’s growing capabilities in defence innovation and manufacturing. Established in the year 2021 to design, develop and promote Air Cushion Vehicles in India & Overseas, they  felt that the opportunity for usage of Hovercrafts/Air Cushion Vehicles is growing all over the world especially in South Asia. This led to them manufacturing India’s first ever Hovercraft – Pivotcraft under Make in India. This product is an All-Terrain Solution. It can transverse on land, swampy areas, snow, ice, water and marshy areas. And both Chandrasekar and Matt unanimously stated Pivotcraft is best suitable for Navy, Army, Airforce, SDRF, NDRF, Coast guard & Inland Waterways etc. and we have built it to bring homegrown versatility to India’s waterbodies, coastline and beyond.

As told to Sangeeta Saxena