Successful Launches of VL-SRSAM Missile System

                                                                                                                                         

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successful launches of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM). 

The launches were carried out today from a static vertical launcher from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. Indigenously designed and developed by DRDO for Indian Navy, VL-SRSAM is meant for neutralizing various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets. The current launches were carried out for demonstration of vertical launch capability as part of its maiden launch campaign. On both occasions, the missiles intercepted the simulated targets with pinpoint accuracy. The missiles were tested for minimum and maximum range. VL-SRSAM with Weapon Control System (WCS) were deployed during the trials. 

The present trials have proved the effectiveness of the weapon system and few more trials will be conducted shortly before deployment on Indian Naval ships. Once deployed, the VL-SRSAM system will prove to be a force multiplier for the Indian Navy.

INS Karanj Submarine

INS Karanj is India’s third of the six Scorpene-class submarines with superior stealth and combat capabilities.

The Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL) on Monday delivered the third Scorpene-class submarine to the navy after two years of sea trials. The submarine was launched in January 2018. MDL chairman and managing director,Western Naval Command’s chief of staff officer (technical), signed the acceptance document.

                        Specifications

Displacement : 1615 T (Surfaced) , 1775 T (Submerged)

Length : 67.5 m

Beam : 6.2 m

Height : 12.3 m

Draught : 5.8 m

Propulsion : 4 x MTU 12V 396 SE84 Diesel Engines, 360 x Battery Cells

Speed : 11 kn (Surfaced), 20 kn (Submerged)

Range : 12000 km @ 8 kn (Surfaced) , 1020 km @ 4 kn (submerged)

Endurance : 50 days

Test Depth : 350 m

Complement : 8 officers, 35 sailors

                     Armaments

AEG SUT 264 Torpedo

The AEG SUT 264 is a German 21 in. heavyweight torpedo. SUT means surface and underwater target. Atlas Elektronik manufactures this torpedo. INS Karanj has six 533 mm Torpedo launch tubes and it can launch 18 AEG SUT 264 torpedos.

This torpedo is wire guided with active/ passive onboard terminal guidance. It has a range of 28 km @ 23 knots and 12 km @ 35 knots. It is capable of achieveing speeds excess of 35 knots. The warhead is usually 250 kg RDX. Magnetic Field or contact initiates the warhead.

SM39 Exocet

MBDA SM.39 Exocet is an anti-ship missile. It has inertial guidance, active radar homing and GPS guidance.

• Mass : 780 kg
• Length : 6 m
• Diameter : 34.8 cm
• Warhead : 165 kg
• Engine : Solid Propellant Engine turbojet (MM40 Block 3 Version)
• Wingspan : 1.35 m
• Range : 70 – 180 km
• Sea Skimming
• Max Speed : Mach 0.93

INS Karanj can carry 30 mines instead of the torpedoes. As a result, INS Karanj will have the mine warfare capability. 

C303/S ATCM Electronic Warfare and Decoys

The C303/S is an anti-torpedo countermeasure system. This system is designed to counter the attacks of acoustic homing torpedoes which includes both active and passive as well as wire and non-wire guided torpedoes. It is formed by a 12 barrel launching network.