Varunastra (torpedo)

Last updated

Varunastra
Varunastra.jpg
Varunastra
TypeHeavy torpedo
Place of origin India
Service history
In service29 June 2016 [1]
Used byNaval Ensign of India.svg  Indian Navy
Production history
Designer Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, DRDO
Manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited
Unit cost₹10 crore (US$1.3 million) - ₹12 crore (US$1.5 million) [2]
No. builtUnknown
Specifications
Mass1,500 kg (3,300 lb)
Length7.78 m (25.5 ft)
Diameter533.4 mm (21.00 in)
Warhead High explosive
Warhead weight250 kg (550 lb) [3]
EngineElectric
Silver Oxide Zinc (AgOZn) batteries
Operational
range
40 km (25 mi) [4] to 50 km (31 mi) [5]
Maximum depth600 metres (2,000 ft) [3]
Maximum speed 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) [3] to 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph) [6]
Guidance
system
Wire-guided, active-passive acoustic homing. Augmented by GPS/NavIC satellite guidance. [7]
Launch
platform

The Varunastra (Literally Projectile of Varuna ) is an Indian advanced autonomous heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo, developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Navy. It is named after a legendary weapon created by the Hindu god of the oceans, Varuna. [9]

Contents

The ship launched variant of Varunastra torpedo was formally inducted in the Indian navy by defence minister Manohar Parrikar and security designed by security adviser satyam kumar on 26 June 2016. [1] [10] The minister in his speech said that the Government is in favour of exporting the torpedo to friendly nations including Vietnam. [11] [12] With some minor modifications the submarine variant of the torpedo is to be test fired shortly. [13]

Design

This torpedo is powered by an electric propulsion system with multiple 250 KWs silver oxide zinc (AgOZn) batteries. [14] It can achieve speeds in excess of 40 kn (74 km/h; 46 mph), weighs around 1.5 tonnes and can carry 250 kg (550 lb) of conventional warhead. This torpedo has more than 95 per cent indigenous content. Varunastra has conformal array transducer which enables it look at wider angles than most common torpedoes. It also has an advanced autonomous guidance algorithms with low drift navigational aids, insensitive warhead which can operate in various combat scenarios. It is the only torpedo in the world to have a GPS-based locating aid. [2] [15] The exercise variant of Varunastra has integrated instrumentation system for recording all the dynamic parameters of the weapon, redundancy in recovery aids in case of emergency shut down or malfunction. [2]

Development

Varunastra will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited in association with NSTL. [15] In April 2018, Bharat Dynamics Limited obtained a license to manufacture Varunastra from the DRDO. [16] In June 2019, Ministry of Defence awarded a contract worth ₹1,187 crore (equivalent to ₹15 billionorUS$180 million in 2023) to Bharat Dynamics Limited to supply Varunastra to the Indian Navy. [17]

During Aero India 2017, it was reported that DRDO has begun work on developing a Kilo-class submarine launched version of the torpedo. [8] [18]

On 6 June 2023,Indian Navy successfully conducted combat trial of Varunastra. The Torpedo was fired from a submarine and successfully hit an underwater target. [19]

Operators

Flag of India.svg  India

Possible operators

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RBU-6000</span> Soviet anti-submarine rocket launcher

The RBU-6000Smerch-2 is a 213 mm caliber Soviet anti-submarine rocket launcher. It is similar in principle to the Royal Navy Hedgehog system used during the Second World War. The system entered service in 1960–1961 and is fitted to a wide range of Russian surface vessels. It consists of a horseshoe-shaped arrangement of twelve launch barrels, that are remotely directed by the Burya fire control system. It fires RGB-60 rockets, which carry unguided depth charges. The rockets are normally fired in salvos of 1, 2, 4, 8 or 12 rounds. Reloading is automatic, with individual rounds being fed into the launcher by the 60UP loading system from a below deck magazine. Typical magazine capacity is either 72 or 96 rounds per launcher. It can also be used for shore bombardment.

The Department of Defence Production of the Ministry of Defence is responsible for the indigenous production of equipment used by the Indian Navy and the other armed forces. It comprises the 41 Indian Ordnance Factories under control of the Ordnance Factories Board and eight Defence PSUs: HAL, BEL, BEML, BDL, MDL, GSL, GRSE and Midhani. The present weapon systems of the Indian Navy are:

<i>Kamorta</i>-class corvette Anti-submarine warfare stealth corvettes of the Indian Navy

The Kamorta-class corvettes or Project 28 are a class of anti-submarine warfare corvettes currently in service with the Indian Navy. Built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, they are the first anti-submarine warfare stealth corvettes to be built in India. Project 28 was approved in 2003, with construction of the lead ship, INS Kamorta commencing on 12 August 2005. All of the four corvettes, INS Kamorta, INS Kadmatt, INS Kiltan and INS Kavaratti were commissioned in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2020 respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central acquisition radar (3D-CAR)</span>

The central acquisition radar (3D-CAR) is a 3D radar developed by DRDO for use with Akash SAM capable of tracking 150 targets.

<i>Nilgiri</i>-class frigate (2019) Indian stealth guided-missile frigates

The Nilgiri-class frigates, formally classified as the Project-17 Alpha frigates (P-17A), are a series of stealth guided-missile frigates currently being built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), for the Indian Navy. The seventh and final ship of the Project 17A frigates, named Mahendragiri, was launched on 1 September 2023 at the Mazagon Dock by Dr Sudesh Dhankhar, wife of Indian vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar. It is expected to be commissioned in 2024.

<i>Kalvari</i>-class submarine (2015) Class of submarines based on the Scorpène-class submarine

The Kalvari-class submarines, formally classified as the Project-75 submarines (P-75), is a class of diesel-electric attack submarines operated by the Indian Navy (IN). Currently being constructed by a syndicate of French and Indian shipyards, namely, Naval Group and Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) respectively, the class is an export derivative of the French-origin Scorpène-class submarine, originally designed by Naval Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Torpedo Advanced Light Shyena</span> Lightweight torpedo

The Torpedo Advanced Light (TAL) Shyena is the first indigenous advanced lightweight anti-submarine torpedo of India, developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Navy. The lightweight torpedo can be launched by ships, submarines, helicopters and previously the now retired Ilyushin Il-38, named after the divine hawk identified with Agni.

INS <i>Chennai</i> (D65) Third Kolkata class Stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy

INS Chennai (D65) is the third and last ship of the Kolkata-class stealth guided missile destroyers of the Indian Navy. She was constructed by the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) at Mumbai. On 17 April 2017, INS Chennai was dedicated to the city of Chennai in presence of then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, K. Palaniswamy.

INS <i>Kamorta</i> (P28) Indian navy anti-submarine corvette

INS Kamorta is the first of four anti-submarine Kamorta-class stealth corvettes which has been built for the Indian Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maareech ATDS</span> Torpedo Defence System

Maareech Advanced Torpedo Defence System (ATDS) is a torpedo detection and countermeasure system used by the Indian Navy. The system offers a complete solution to detect and locate an incoming torpedo and to apply countermeasures to protect naval platform against torpedo attack. It was developed as a joint project of the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi and the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam. Bharat Electronics is manufacturing it India.

INS <i>Shakti</i> (A57) Deepak-class fleet tanker

INS Shakti (A57) is a Deepak-class fleet tanker in service with the Indian Navy. She was built by Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilding company based in Trieste. She is the second and final ship of her class. Shakti, along with her predecessor Deepak, is one of the largest ships of the Indian Navy.

INS <i>Kadmatt</i> (P29) Anti-submarine corvette in the Indian Navy

INS Kadmatt (P29) is the second of four anti-submarine warfare corvettes built for the Indian Navy by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers of Kolkata under Project 28. She was inducted into the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy.

USHUS is an integrated sonar system developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India, for use in submarines of the Indian Navy. It is primarily designed to be used in Sindhughosh class submarines, though it is reported to be fitted in the Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines as well. USHUS is reported to be superior to its Russian equivalents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kavach (anti-missile system)</span> Decoy system

Kavach is an anti-missile naval decoy system to distract radar-guided missiles from their targets and act as a system for self-defence. It was designed and developed by the Ordnance Factory Board for the Indian Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future of the Indian Navy</span> Indian Navys focus

The Indian Navy has been focusing on developing indigenous platforms, systems, sensors and weapons as part of the nation's modernisation and expansion of its maritime forces. As of November 2023, the Indian Navy has 67 vessels of various types under construction including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, conventional-powered and nuclear-powered submarines and various other ships. It plans to build up to a total of 200 vessels and 500 aircraft by 2050. According to Chief of Naval Staff's statement in December 2020, India has transformed from a buyer's navy to a builder's navy.

<i>Visakhapatnam</i>-class destroyer Class of stealth guided missile destroyers

The Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, also classified as the P-15 Bravo class, or simply P-15B, is a class of guided-missile destroyers currently being built for the Indian Navy. The Visakhapatnam class is an upgraded derivative of its predecessor, the Kolkata class, with improved features of stealth, automation and ordnance.

INS <i>Kalvari</i> (S21)

INS Kalvari (S21) is the first of the six indigenous Scorpène-class submarines currently in service with the Indian Navy. It is a diesel-electric attack submarine which is designed by DCNS and was manufactured at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SMART (missile)</span> Long range anti submarine missile

SMART is a canister-based, long-range anti-submarine missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Navy.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Weapon of Water: India gets its first indigenous torpedo, Varunastra". NewsX. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Varunastra joins the Navy; 9 things you must know". Rediff News. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 T. S. Subramanian (23 March 2014). "Underwater might". Frontline. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Indian Navy commissions fourth and final Kamorta-class corvette". Janes.com. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  5. ↑ Siddiqui, Huma (7 June 2023). "Varunastra Torpedo to enhance Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, Know all about its powerful features here". Financialexpress. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  6. ↑ Katoch, P.C (15 June 2023). "Varunastra Torpedo". www.spsnavalforces.com. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "Varunastra joins the Navy; 9 things you must know". Rediff. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 Purohit, Jugal R (15 February 2017). "India to fire self-made torpedo VARUNASTRA from our submarines, says DRDO". India Today.
  9. ↑ Siddiqui, Huma (7 June 2023). "Varunastra Torpedo to enhance Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, Know all about its powerful features here". Financialexpress. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Anti-submarine torpedo Varunastra inducted in Navy". The Indian Express. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  11. ↑ "India joins elite group of eight with anti-submarine Varunastra in arsenal". The New Indian Express. 30 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Eye on China, Delhi offers heavy torpedoes to Vietnam". The Times of India. 3 July 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "Indian Navy inducts indigenous heavyweight torpedo Varunastra". India Today. IANS. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  14. ↑ "Indian Navy's most powerful ships rely on DRDO technology". indiastrategic.in. Archived from the original on 16 July 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  15. 1 2 Jain, Smriti (30 June 2016). "Varunastra: 5 things to know about the lethal DRDO torpedo for Indian Navy". The Financial Express. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  16. ↑ "BDL to make 'Varunastra'". The Hindu. 12 April 2018.
  17. ↑ Rao, Sushil (14 June 2019). "India set to join heavyweight torpedo club". The Times of India.
  18. ↑ "India To Test Fire Home-Made Torpedo From Russian EKM Class Submarine". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  19. 1 2 "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - YEAR END REVIEW 2023". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "Hon'ble RM hands over Varunastra to Indian Navy". Indian Navy. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  21. ↑ Ziezulewicz, Geoff (30 June 2016). "Varunastra missile handed over to Indian navy". UPI.
  22. ↑ Bedi, Rahul (4 July 2016). "Indian Navy inducts indigenous Varunastra heavyweight torpedo". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017.
  23. ↑ "Indian Navy to soon get first batch of indigenously-built torpedo Varunastra". DNA India . 9 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.