Watch: Indian Navy Destroys Under Water Target Using Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedo

The Indian Navy and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have successfully engaged and destroyed an under-water target using 'Varunastra' Heavy Weight Torpedo (HWT).

A statement released by the Indian Navy said, "Successful engagement of an underwater target by an indigenously developed heavy weight torpedo is a significant milestone in IndianNavy's & DRDO_India's quest for accurate delivery of ordnance on target in the underwater domain."

"This showcases our commitment to Future Proof Combat Readiness through AatmaNirbharta," the statement further said.

The Varunastra HWT is an electrically-powered torpedo capable of anti-submarine and anti-ship operations. The torpedo has a maximum strike range of 40 kilometres and can travel at speeds of more than 70 kilometres per hour.

Varunastra has been developed by National Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a DRDO lab, specifically established for research and development on marine technology, including torpedoes and sonars.

The DRDO says that Varunastra is capable of targeting submarines “both in deep and shallow waters in an intense counter-measures environment”.

The torpedo is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). BDL signed a contract worth Rs 1,187 crore with the Indian Navy to manufacture the weapon.

The first Varunastra torpedo was delivered to the Indian Navy on November 2020.