Varunastra is indigenously-built ship launched, heavy weight, electrically-propelled anti-submarine torpedo capable of targeting quiet submarines both in deep and shallow waters in an intense countermeasures environment. It was inducted in the Indian Navy on 29 June, 2016 by then Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar. This brings India with the eight countries to have capability to design and develop such a system. It was developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a premier laboratory of Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO).
As per DRDO, Varunastra can be fired from ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) ships. It weighs 1650 kilograms and 7 -8 meters in length. The Varunastra has a range of 40 kilometers and is able to carry a payload of 250 kilograms. It weighs around 1.25 tonnes. It costs 10 – 12 crore per unit and is capable of targeting quiet and stealthy submarines.
First production unit of Heavy Weight Torpedo (HWT) Varunastra produced by BDL (Bharat Dynamics Limited) Vishakapatnam for Indian Navy was flagged off on 21 November, 2020. The first batch of Varunastra torpedo will enter in the service of Sindhughosh submarines, a Kilo-class diesel electric submarine, Varunastra is a competitor of AKYA Heavy Class Torpedo designed by Turkish defense company Roketsan.
Add a Comment