The Indian Navy received the first serial domestic heavy torpedo "Varunastra"
The Indian Naval Forces received the first domestic serial heavy torpedo Varunastra (Tempest). According to Naval News, the delivery of the first torpedo took place last Saturday, November 21.
The new Indian heavy 533mm torpedo Varunastra was developed by the Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL) of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) specifically for the Indian Navy.
The beginning of experimental combat operation of the torpedo in the Navy began in 2018, at the same time the Indian ammunition manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) received a license to manufacture torpedoes. The first contract worth about $ 170 million for the mass production of a torpedo for the Indian Navy was signed in June 2019.
The torpedo is intended for use from surface ships, and the submarine version is to be adopted soon.
The heavy 533-mm anti-submarine torpedo has a total mass of about 1500 kg, of which 250 kg are in the warhead. The declared speed is up to 40 knots. The power plant is electric with several batteries based on silver and zinc oxide (AgOZn) with a capacity of 250 kW. The operating range is up to 21 nautical miles, the maximum depth is 400 meters. It is equipped with an active-passive acoustic homing unit and a GPS guidance module. It is capable of striking low-noise submarines both at depth and in shallow water in conditions of intense opposition.
The torpedo will be equipped with Talwar-class frigates, Kamorta-class corvettes and other surface warships of the country's navy. To date, within the framework of two contracts, the Indian Navy has ordered 136 Varunastra torpedoes.
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