Once fully developed, the Supersonic Missile Assisted Release Torpedo (SMART) weapon system would boost the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability and allow it to engage enemy submarines from far off distances, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy said on 14 October.
The SMART weapon system was successfully test fired for the first time on October 5 where a supersonic missile was used to launch a torpedo against a simulated submarine as a target and the test was fully successful.
“A torpedo has a limited range capability. The range of torpedo is enhanced through many mechanisms. One of the mechanisms is a supersonic missile assisted release of the torpedo, that is how it is called SMART,” Reddy told in an exclusive interview while explaining the capabilities of different missiles tested successfully by India in the last few weeks.
He said a torpedo has been incorporated in the front sections of a missile and it carried the torpedo to the designated point and then opened it up.
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“All these operations have very successfully functioned in the very first attempt itself. So, this enhances the capability of the Indian Navy once the system gets fully proven and inducted into the armed forces. The Navy’s capability to engage submarines at far of distances is also feasible,” Reddy added.
The test was carried out on October 5 from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Balasore off the coast of Odisha.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief G Satheesh Reddy, on 14 October, expressed hope that within the next 4-5 years, the agency can help the Indian armed forces by developing a complete missile system.
Reddy said, “It will take probably about 4-5 years for us to work on all these things and realise a complete missile system, working for some good amount of range.”
10 Tests in Two Months
India has tested 10 missiles in the last two months with indigenously developed Rudram-1 being the latest. Rudram-1 is an anti-radiation missile that can detect enemy radars and specifically target them which helps in breaking down the first wave of resistance and creating space for more damage.
Along with Rudram, the DRDO has also tested extended-range BrahMos missile, supersonic missile-assisted release of torpedo anti-submarine warfare, hypersonic nuclear-capable Shaurya and hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV).
These missile tests come at a time when India is engaged in a bitter row with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The DRDO chief said that the organisation can now accommodate the needs of the armed forces. He said, “We are now able to develop any type of missile system that the armed forces want.”
The assurance made by the DRDO chief also reflects that the defence sector is also focussing on developing indigenous weapons systems giving the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) drive a push.
Reddy also pointed out that the missiles are a part of DRDO’s effort to develop modern weapons for the armed forces when they are engaged in a conflict with China. He said, “DRDO has been working on many weapon systems. Even during the Covid-19 period, scientists have been continuously working on that. All have matured and hence whenever a system is ready, we are going further developmental trials.”
He further added, “The maturity level of many technologies is such that we had very successful flights.”
