Varunastra (torpedo)

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 cost10 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]

  1. ^ a b c "Weapon of Water: India gets its first indigenous torpedo, Varunastra". NewsX. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  2. ^ "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. ^ Cite error: The named reference it-15feb17 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  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. ^ "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. ^ Cite error: The named reference varunastraExport was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ "Indian Navy inducts indigenous heavyweight torpedo Varunastra". India Today. IANS. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.