As per the reports of The Week, India is moving closer to fielding its next-generation submarine weapon with the Takshak Electric Heavyweight Torpedo (EHWT), an indigenous system designed to transform the combat capabilities of the Kalvari-class submarine fleet of the Indian Navy.
Developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation, Takshak is expected to begin harbour trials in 2026, followed by live-fire tests against decommissioned ship targets by 2027.
Key Specifications
Although full specifications remain classified, available details suggest the following performance envelope:
- Length: ~6.4 meters
- Range: Over 40 km
- Maximum depth: Around 400 meters
- Guidance: Fiber-optic control with autonomous tracking
- Navigation: RLG-based inertial navigation with satellite updates via NavIC and GPS
Designed as a silent and stealthy underwater weapon, the torpedo is optimized for deployment from India’s Scorpène-derived submarines, making it a major milestone for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in undersea warfare.
Swim-Out Technology: The End of Launch Noise
One of Takshak’s most important technological features is its “swim-out” launch mechanism.
Traditional submarine torpedoes are expelled using compressed air, which creates a sudden acoustic signature that can alert enemy sonar systems.
Takshak eliminates this problem.
Instead of being ejected violently, the torpedo quietly exits the submarine tube using its own propulsion, dramatically reducing the acoustic footprint of the launch.
This approach ensures that submarines like the INS Kalvari can fire weapons without immediately revealing their position, a crucial advantage in modern submarine warfare.
Technical Synergy with Naval Group’s SUBTICS Combat System
The integration of Takshak with the submarine’s combat system is another major breakthrough.
In December 2024, India signed an ₹877-crore agreement with the French defense firm Naval Group to integrate the torpedo with the SUBTICS (Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System) used aboard Kalvari-class submarines.
SUBTICS acts as the “brain” of the submarine, managing sonar inputs, target tracking, and weapon deployment.
By integrating Takshak into this networked system, the torpedo can receive real-time targeting updates from the submarine’s sensors, greatly improving engagement accuracy against enemy submarines or surface vessels.
Fiber-Optic Guidance and Autonomous Mode
Takshak uses fiber-optic guidance, enabling a real-time data link between the submarine and the torpedo after launch.
Through this connection, operators can:
- Adjust the torpedo’s trajectory
- Update target information from sonar feeds
- Redirect the weapon toward a higher-priority threat
If the guidance wire breaks, the torpedo automatically switches to autonomous “fire-and-forget” mode, relying on onboard sensors to continue tracking its target.
The weapon also incorporates Ring Laser Gyroscope (RLG) navigation and advanced guidance algorithms for high-precision underwater tracking.
Takshak vs Varunastra: Key Differences
India already operates the Varunastra heavyweight torpedo, but Takshak fills a different operational role.
Varunastra
- Primarily ship-launched
- Designed to target enemy submarines from surface vessels
- Focused on fleet defense
Takshak
- Submarine-launched weapon
- Optimized for stealth operations and swim-out launch
- Designed for deep-water engagements up to 400 meters
Takshak’s use of silver-oxide batteries also provides improved endurance and performance compared to earlier torpedo systems.
These features allow Takshak to engage both enemy submarines and surface warships with high precision.
The AIP Advantage: A True Stealth Combination
The arrival of Takshak also aligns with India’s efforts to upgrade Kalvari-class submarines with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems.
A submarine equipped with AIP + swim-out torpedoes becomes a formidable stealth platform.
AIP allows the submarine to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing, while Takshak enables it to launch attacks without producing detectable acoustic bursts.
Together, these technologies create what naval analysts often call a “true stealth kill chain” in underwater warfare.
Reducing Dependence on Foreign Torpedoes
For decades, India relied heavily on imported torpedoes such as the SUT torpedo from Germany and the Black Shark torpedo originally planned for the Scorpène program.
The development of Takshak signals a major step toward self-reliance in submarine weapons technology.
Once operational, the torpedo will significantly enhance the lethality of India’s underwater fleet while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
As harbor trials begin in 2026 and live combat tests follow in 2027, Takshak is poised to become one of the most important indigenous weapons in India’s expanding undersea arsenal.
