Torpedoes in Indian Navy

Torpedo is a self-propelled, cigar shaped, under water weapon used to blow-up ships. It is highly complicated and designed to combat fast-moving warships and merchant ships. Modern torpedoes are difficult to detect and are extremely versatile. They can be launched from submarines, surface vessels or aircraft. They can even ride piggy-back on a rocket to distant targets. Torpedoes differ in size, weight and mechanical design, according to the purpose for which they are intended. Some are designed for attacking large groups of cargo vessels shielded by warships. Other torpedoes are used in hunting, deep-running submarines and air-craft carriers or in unique battle situations. Submarines are vehicles that travel under the sea to destroy enemy ships and explore the undersea. Torpedoes are bombs launched from submarines or ships to destroy enemy ships. The torpedoes indigenously designed by DRDO for the Indian Navy are the heavyweight torpedoes Varunastra and Takshak, the lightweight torpedo Shyena, and the Smart Missile.

Varunastra: Varunastra is a heavy-weight torpedo indigenously manufactured by India. It became a part of the Navy's arsenal on 29 June 2016. Varunastra was developed by the Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL) located in Visakhapatnam under the DRDO.

Takshak: Takshak is a heavy-weight torpedo in the form of a missile that can be used underwater against submarines and ships.

SMART: SMART (Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo) is a new weapon system developed and successfully tested by the DRDO in October 2020. SMART is a torpedo that can be launched from submarines with the help of a supersonic missile.

Shyena: Shyena is a lightweight torpedo that was developed and successfully tested by India indigenously in March 2021. Shyena was developed by NSTL under the DRDO.

Advanced Light-Weight Torpedo (ALWT): It is the second generation of Shyena anti-submarine torpedo. ALWT is developed by NSTL of DRDO and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). It can be launched from ship, helicopter or from a fixed wing aircraft.