India is going to take a big step towards strengthening its maritime warfare capability. Sea trials of the indigenous heavyweight torpedo Takshak will begin from this year, while its live warhead test will be conducted in 2027. This torpedo will be fired from Kalvari-class submarines of the Indian Navy. Its trials have been linked to the ongoing modernization and refit of submarines. It is being told that if all the trials are successful, then in 2027 it will be fired on the target with the real warhead.
Takshak Torpedo has been developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of DRDO. This is an advanced electric heavyweight torpedo, which is considered to be the next and more modern version of the old Varunastra torpedo. Takshak Torpedo, also known as Electric Heavyweight Torpedo (EHWT). Preparations are being made to target enemy submarines and ships. Its objective is to make India self-reliant in this field. At the same time, with the induction of Takshak, India's undersea strike capability will increase significantly and its dependence on foreign torpedoes will also reduce.
According to media reports, a major achievement in this project was achieved in December 2024. When the Defense Ministry signed an agreement of Rs 877 crore with France's Naval Group. Under this, Takshak is being connected to the SUBTICS Combat Management System of submarines. This system handles the sensors, weapons and fire control of the submarine. Due to which the use of torpedoes will be more accurate and easier. At the same time, many dry and wet tests will be conducted in the harbor before the trial. In 2026 itself, trials will be conducted in different conditions in the sea, where its fiber-optic guidance system will also be tested. This system gives the torpedo the ability to change direction in real-time.
It is being told that this 6.4 meter long torpedo has been specially designed to fit in the launch tubes of submarines. It has Ring Laser Gyro based navigation. Also, indigenous NavIC satellite guidance system has been installed. It can carry out highly accurate attacks on enemy submarines and ships in a short time. A special swim-out launch system is being installed for this torpedo in INS Kalvari. -In this, the torpedo releases itself into the water without making any loud noise, due to which the submarine's stealth i.e. ability to remain hidden is maintained.
If these trials are successful then live warhead test will be conducted in 2027. In this, torpedoes with real explosives will be fired at an old ship or target. However, there are some challenges in this project. The biggest challenge is to keep the fiber-optic wire safe. Because if it breaks then the control of the torpedo can be lost. It is also very important to maintain the stealth of the submarine during launch. With the success of Takshak Torpedo, the strength of the Indian Navy will increase significantly.
