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Varunastra (torpedo)

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Varunastra
Varunastra
TypeHeavyweight anti-submarine torpedo
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service29 June 2016[1]
Used by Indian Navy
Production history
DesignerNaval Science and Technological Laboratory (DRDO)
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited
Unit cost₹10 crore (US$1.2 million) - ₹12 crore (US$1.4 million)[2]
No. builtUnknown
Specifications
Mass1,500 kg (3,300 lb)
Length7.78 m (25.5 ft)
Diameter533.4 mm (21.00 in)
WarheadHigh 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 the 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]

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 kW (340 hp) 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][16] 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

In May 2014 it was reported that the Indian Navy is scheduled to carry out User Evaluation Trials (UETs) during the mid-year period. The assembly of the prototype was done by a team from Bharat Dynamics Limited at the Talwar facility of NSTL in Visakhapatnam.[17]

In FY2015-16, the torpedo underwent 130 technical trials while 14 user trials were conducted between January and March 2015. In September 2015, MoD granted final approval for the torpedo's User Evaluation Trials (UETs) and eventually it was accepted for induction into Services.[16]

Varunastra will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited in association with NSTL.[15]

During Aero India 2017, it was reported that DRDO has begun test-firing of a submarine-launched variant of the torpedo. A Sindhughish-class submarine is being used as the launch platform for the development. The variant was reportedly accepted and ready for production.[18][19]

In April 2018, Bharat Dynamics Limited obtained a license to manufacture Varunastra from the DRDO.[20] In June 2019, Ministry of Defence awarded a contract worth ₹1,187 crore (equivalent to ₹15 billion or US$180 million in 2023) to Bharat Dynamics Limited to supply Varunastra to the Indian Navy.[21]

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.[22]

In September 2024, Apollo Micro Systems Limited received an order for Software Defined Universal Homing System for the Heavy Weight Torpedo from Bharat Dynamics Limited. [23]

Further development

Shakti thermal torpedo

Shakti heavyweight torpedo uses thermal propulsion technology in contrast to the Varunastra torpedo which uses electric propulsion. The torpedo employs monopropellant fuel, which allows combustion to take place without aerial oxygen, and a pumpjet. Its propulsion unit generates 400 kW of power for faster acceleration. It can operate at a maximum depth of 600 metres (2,000 ft), a maximum speed of 60 knots (110 km/h; 69 mph). The first image emerged publicly in Twitter on 9 June 2023 which hinted that the torpedo is going sea trials.[24][25][26]

Takshak torpedo

Takshak torpedo is the advanced version of the Varunastra torpedo which employs an electric battery for propulsion. It has a length of 6.4 metres (21 ft) which is shorter from the previous variant, enabling to be launched from submarines. It also features Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System (RLG INS) as well as GPS/NavIC-based guidance. Takshak haa 2 variants: submarine-launched with wire guidance and ship-launched with autonomous guidance. The torpedo, as of May 2024, is ready for sea trials with the Indian Navy which will pave way for induction for deployment.[27][28]

Operators

 India

Possible operators

  •  Vietnam - In 2016 India offered to export versions of the Varunastra to Vietnam.[12]
  • Admiral Sunil Lanba and Manohar Parrikar taking a close look at the Varunastra, during its handing off ceremony to the Indian Navy
    Admiral Sunil Lanba and Manohar Parrikar taking a close look at the Varunastra, during its handing off ceremony to the Indian Navy
  • Varunastra heavy torpedo engaging an underwater target.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Weapon of Water: India gets its first indigenous torpedo, Varunastra". NewsX. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Varunastra joins the Navy; 9 things you must know". Rediff News. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  3. ^ a b c 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. 22 October 2020. 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Varunastra Torpedo to enhance Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, Know all about its powerful features here". Financialexpress. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Varunastra to undergo evaluation trials soon". The Hindu. 28 February 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  18. ^ Purohit, Jugal R (15 February 2017). "India to fire self-made torpedo VARUNASTRA from our submarines, says DRDO". India Today.
  19. ^ "India To Test Fire Home-Made Torpedo From Russian EKM Class Submarine". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  20. ^ "BDL to make 'Varunastra'". The Hindu. 12 April 2018.
  21. ^ Rao, Sushil (14 June 2019). "India set to join heavyweight torpedo club". The Times of India.
  22. ^ a b "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - YEAR END REVIEW 2023". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  23. ^ "Apollo Micro Systems wins order from Bharat Dynamics - Check details ,Companies News, Business News | Zee Business". www.zeebiz.com. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  24. ^ "Indian Navy test fires Shakti thermal torpedo". Indian Defense Analysis. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  25. ^ Sri, Aman (22 July 2023). "India getting a new secret torpedo?". brahmastraspace. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  26. ^ @PRO_Vizag (9 June 2023). "Alarm Torpedo – Enemy Beware!!" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 August 2024 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ SUBRAMANIAN, T. S. "Underwater might". Frontline. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  28. ^ "India's Next-Gen Torpedo, Takshak, Set for Sea Trials: A Deep Dive into BDL's Latest Innovation". Defence.in. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Hon'ble RM hands over Varunastra to Indian Navy". Indian Navy. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  30. ^ Ziezulewicz, Geoff (30 June 2016). "Varunastra missile handed over to Indian navy". UPI.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ "Indian Navy to soon get first batch of indigenously-built torpedo Varunastra". DNA India. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.

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