A torpedo that glides through the air before diving beneath the waves is at the center of the Indian Navy’s latest push to counter distant underwater threats.
The concept involves an air-launched, rocket-assisted torpedo that could be carried by crewed fighter jets or autonomous aircraft.
According to the Indian Defence Research Wing (IDRW), the proposed weapon would pair a conventional torpedo with a range-extension kit designed for air launch.
Once released, the turbojet-powered kit would carry the torpedo between 150 and 250 kilometers (93 and 155 miles) before separating over the target area.
The torpedo would then enter the water and begin hunting underwater threats while maintaining a low acoustic signature, making it harder to detect.
The extended reach could allow Indian aircraft to conduct anti-submarine missions across the Indian Ocean Region without approaching as close to suspected submarine positions.
Extending India’s Anti-Submarine Reach
India’s interest comes amid China’s growing submarine presence in the region and the development of air-defense systems that could make approaching hostile vessels more dangerous for maritime patrol aircraft.
The Indian Navy currently relies on Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft armed with torpedoes and missiles for anti-submarine warfare.
However, conventional air-dropped torpedoes require aircraft to move relatively close to a suspected submarine’s location before releasing their weapons.
The proposed air-launched system reportedly draws on India’s SMART concept, a hybrid weapon that uses a supersonic missile to carry a lightweight torpedo over long distances.
While no specific timeline was disclosed, the weapon is said to take at least a decade to reach operational deployment.
