India’s Maritime Tech Milestone: Indigenously Developed Underwater Acoustic Test Facility At NIOT Gets International Certification

India’s sole Underwater Acoustic Test Facility (ATF) at Chennai’s National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has achieved international certification, cementing its status as a world-class centre for underwater instrument calibration and testing.

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology hailed the global recognition and international certification of the facility, describing it as a proud milestone in India’s journey towards scientific self-reliance in underwater acoustics and ocean technology.

The facility was recently recognised as India’s “Designated Laboratory” in the field of underwater acoustics under the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), Paris, through CSIR-NPL, effective 30 January 2024.

This means NIOT now holds the national standards for measurements in underwater acoustics—a crucial responsibility for ensuring measurement accuracy across strategic sectors.

After unveiling the commemorative plaque on Saturday (12 April), Singh witnessed a live demonstration of the facility’s capabilities, which include precise testing and calibration of a wide range of underwater acoustic instruments such as hydrophones, transducers, and acoustic modems—vital for both strategic and civilian applications.

Describing the facility as a “critical national asset,” the minister highlighted its pivotal role in strengthening India’s self-reliance in ocean technology.

“The Acoustic Test Facility enhances our ocean observation capabilities, supports tsunami detection systems, and reinforces national security through its strategic applications,” he said.

Established in 2004 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the ATF is India’s only facility accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for hydrophone calibration.

Since 2005, it has consistently maintained this accreditation and caters to a broad spectrum of users, including naval laboratories, IITs, universities, and major industrial players such as BEL, L&T, and Tata Power.

In 2018, the facility’s global competence was validated when it participated in a Key Comparison Test organized by the National Physical Laboratory, UK, alongside laboratories from seven other countries, including the US, UK, and Russia.

The ATF’s calibration results matched international benchmarks, establishing its parity with top global labs.

Experts say this recognition not only boosts India’s scientific credibility but also opens up opportunities for global collaborations in underwater research and maritime technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology said in a statement.

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