Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has signed a contract worth of $US 17 million (Rs 1.190 crore) for the supply of Heavy Weight Torpedoes - Varunastra - to the Indian Navy.
The Vanustara Heavy Weight Torpedo (Picture Source: DRDO)
The contract was inked by NP Diwakar, Director (Technical), BDL and Nidhi Chhibber, Joint Secretary & Acquisition Manager (Maritime & Systems), Ministry of Defence, Govt of India in New Delhi.
The execution of the contract will be over the next 42 months. The weapon will be manufactured at BDL Visakhapatnam Unit under collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Heavy Weight Torpedo or the Varunastra is a ship launched, electrically propelled underwater weapon equipped with one of the most advanced automatic and remote-controlled guidance systems.
According to the BDL, the weapon system uses its own intelligence in tracing the target. The Hyderabad-based defence public sector undertaking is the main producer of the country's range of missiles and missile defence systems.
Varunastra has been designed with the latest technologies such as high speed and long endurance propulsion, software-driven intelligence, conformal array acoustic homing with wide look angle and advanced digital signal processing. It is also having advanced autonomous guidance algorithms with low drift navigational aids, insensitive warhead which can operate in various combat scenarios.
This torpedo has been developed with a high degree of modularity with more than 95 per cent indigenous content. All the test systems, accessories, special tools and handling equipment are developed simultaneously, enabling smooth maintenance, sourcing of spares, industry support and up-gradation. M/s Bharat Dynamics Ltd. has been associated with NSTL in the development of Varunastra as a production agency.
