BIDEC 2019: Bharat Dynamics Limited exhibits its maritime capabilities.

This Year at BIDEC 2019 (the international defence exhibition and conference) Bharat Dynamics Limited is presenting a wide range of missiles capabilities. Among them, the ones related to the naval and maritime sector.

Varunastra or Heavyweight Torpedo (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Defence was established in Hyderabad in the year 1970 to be a manufacturing base for guided missiles and allied defence equipment.

VARUNASTRA OR HEAVYWEIGHT TORPEDO - a ship-launched, electrically propelled underwater weapon. Equipped with the most advanced automatic and remote-controlled guidance system. Uses its own intelligence in tracking the target.

This torpedo is powered by an electric propulsion system with multiple 250 KWs Silver Oxide Zinc (AgOZn) batteries. It can achieve speeds in excess of 40 km (74 km/h; 46 mph), weighs around 1.25 tons and can carry 250 kg (550 lb) of the conventional warhead. This torpedo has more than 95 per cent of indigenous content.

Light Weight Torpedo (Picture source: Army Recognition)

LIGHTWEIGHT TORPEDO (TAL) – an electrically propelled, self-homing underwater weapon. Can be launched from ship/helicopter. Seawater activated the battery.

Shyena is electrically propelled and can target submarines with a speed of 33 knots with an endurance of six minutes in both shallow and deep waters. It can operate at depths of a few hundred meters and has self-homing, i.e. it can home in on targets by passive/active homing and explode on impact. Once launched, it can perform pre-programmed search patterns for available targets. The torpedo weighs around 220 kg.

SUBMARINE FIRED DECOY – Acts as a preferred target in presence of own submarine to a passive or active homing torpedo. Can function as a preferred target. Offers zero response time for launching. Deployed from a signal cartridge launch tube.

CMDS (COUNTERMEASURES DISPENSING SYSTEM) - a state-of-the-art Chaff and Flare Dispensing System. Provides self-protection to the aircraft against Radar Guided and heat-seeking missiles launched from air or ground.