The Indian Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar handed over the ‘Varunastra’, a ship launched heavy weight torpedo’, also known as underwater missile to the Indian Navy during a ceremony held June 29.
Varunastra has been developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory of the DRDO based at Visakhapatnam. M/s Bharat Dynamics Ltd has been associated as a production partner in concurrent engineering mode.
Varunastra is an Indian manufactured anti-submarine torpedo which can be fired from the Rajput class destroyers, Delhi class and all future Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) ships capable of firing heavy weight torpedoes and is capable of targeting quiet and stealthy submarines both in deep and littoral waters.
According to reports, the torpedo can travel at speeds of over 40 knots and is powered by an electric propulsion system.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Manohar Parrikar congratulated DRDO for the achievement and appreciated the efforts made in this regard. The Minister also stated that in these high technology areas, DRDO’s contribution with 95 per cent of indigenous content is an apt example of Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) category.