Indigenously-built heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo Varunastra has been successfully inducted
in the Indian Navy, making India one of the eight countries to have the capability to
design and build such a system.
Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, NSTL of the DRDO have developed it for the
Indian Navy.
Bharat Dynamics Limited will manufacture it in association with NSTL.
This torpedo has more than 95 per cent indigenous content.
In this video, Defense Updates provides viewers with insight of the deadly weapon.
This torpedo is powered by an electric propulsion system with multiple 250 Kilo Watts Silver
Oxide Zinc (AgOZn) batteries.
It can achieve speeds in excess of 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) and operate at depths of 400 m.
It weighs around 1.25 tons and can carry 250 kg (550 lb) of conventional high explosive (HE) warhead.
The warhead is insensitive to environmental factors, and hence can operate in various
combat scenarios.
It is enough to cripple any submarine.
It can be wire-guided, or be keyed for active-passive acoustic homing.
Varunastra has conformal array transducer, which enables it look at wider angles than
most common torpedoes.
It also has advanced autonomous guidance algorithms with low drift navigational aids.
It is the only torpedo in the world to have a GPS-based locating aid.
The torpedo is packed with state of art sensors, which are classified.
What is known is that, it is capable of targeting quiet and stealthy submarines, both in deep
and littoral waters in intense counter-measure environment.
This system has primarily two variants:
1. Ship Launched: Deployed from Kolkata-class destroyer, Rajput-class destroyer, Delhi-class
destroyer, Kamorta-class corvette or Talwar-class frigate.
2. Submarine Launched: Deployment in current and future submarines of the Indian Navy.
Cost of each is about 10 to12 crore rupees.
‘Varunastra’, was extensively tested at sea in association with Indian Navy for evaluating
the weapon capabilities as per Naval Staff qualitative requirements.
The weapon has completed all environmental qualification tests like shock, vibration,
temperature cycling & marine environmental tests.
The excellent range and speed of the torpedo makes it one of the most deadly torpedoes
in the world.
To give viewers a perspective, United States Mark 48 torpedo has a similar range of 40
kn at 74 km/h (46 mph).
It is an important step in India’s endeavor to achieve for more and more indigenization
of its defense equipment.
Having 2 variant, the weapon can be deployed from surface and underwater vessels, making
it very versatile.
The weapon has export potential, and has been recently offered to Vietnam.