Varunastra Heavyweight Torpedo
Weapon
Varunastra Heavyweight Torpedo
🎯 WeaponIndia's indigenously developed heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo named after Varuna, the god of oceans.
The Varunastra, meaning '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.
Development
In May 2014, the Indian Navy conducted User Evaluation Trials (UETs). The assembly of the prototype was done by a team from Bharat Dynamics Limited at the Talwar facility of NSTL in Visakhapatnam.
In financial year 2015-16, 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 UETs, and the torpedo was accepted for induction. The development of the first variant — the ship-launched, anti-submarine variant — was completed in July 2016. The overall development period was 11 years.
Significance
Varunastra makes India one of a few nations capable of independently designing and manufacturing heavyweight torpedoes, significantly reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for this critical submarine warfare weapon.
General Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Mass | 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) |
| Length | 7.78 m (25.5 ft) |
| Diameter | 533.4 mm (21.00 in) |
| Warhead | High explosive |
| Warhead weight | 250 kg (550 lb) |
| Propulsion | Advanced electric (lithium ion battery) |
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