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India’s push to plug a key capability gap in its submarine arm is gathering pace, with the indigenously developed ‘Takshak’ heavyweight torpedo set to enter trials on frontline Kalvari-class submarines by the end of 2026.
In an interaction with BharatShakti, Rear Admiral Rahul Shrawat (Retd), Chairman of Naval Group India, said the French company is working closely with Indian agencies to integrate the Electric Heavyweight Torpedo (EHWT) with the Scorpene-class boats. The effort, he underlined, fits squarely within the government’s drive for indigenisation, with scope for domestic manufacturing and technology absorption.
The Takshak torpedo has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam. It is designed as a next-generation weapon capable of engaging both submarines and surface ships, marking a significant upgrade over the earlier Varunastra torpedo.
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A key milestone came in December 2024, when the Defence Ministry signed a Rs 877 crore contract with France’s Naval Group to integrate Takshak’s advanced guidance software with the SUBTICS combat management system onboard the Kalvari-class submarines. These submarines were built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under the Scorpene programme.
The integration will enable seamless communication between the torpedo and the submarine’s combat system, a critical requirement for precision engagement, according to officials.
Phased Trials Planned
The trials will begin with harbour-based tests, both dry and wet, to validate safe launch parameters and ensure that the torpedo does not interfere with the submarine’s sensors or structural integrity. Subject to successful outcomes, live firings with warheads are expected to be carried out in 2027.
Takshak measures about 6.4 metres in length and is powered by silver-oxide batteries. It is equipped with a ring laser gyroscope-based inertial navigation, complemented by GPS/NavIC inputs, enabling improved targeting accuracy.
The torpedo uses a “swim-out” launch system, which eliminates the need for compressed air and significantly reduces acoustic signature during firing, a crucial advantage in stealth operations. It is also expected to feature fibre-optic wire guidance, allowing real-time data exchange with the launching submarine. In the event of wire breakage, the weapon can switch to autonomous mode.
Earlier assessments indicated an operational range of around 40 km and a diving capability of up to 400 metres, though these parameters are expected to improve in the latest iteration.
Part of Larger Submarine Upgrade
The torpedo integration is part of a broader submarine modernisation effort. Alongside the Rs 877 crore deal, the Defence Ministry also cleared a separate Rs 1,990 crore contract with MDL for the construction and integration of an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) plug based on DRDO technology.
The AIP module, which involves installing a new hull section in existing submarines, will enable conventional diesel-electric boats to remain submerged for longer, enhancing stealth and endurance.
Officials say the twin projects, Takshak integration and AIP fitting, are central to boosting the Indian Navy’s underwater combat capability while advancing the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
With trials on the horizon, Takshak is poised to become a critical addition to India’s undersea warfare arsenal, closing a long-standing gap in indigenous heavyweight torpedo capability.
Team BharatShakti
