India’s naval warfare doctrine is entering a new phase as indigenous technologies reshape how warships defend themselves from underwater threats. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam and supported by production agencies like Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a new generation of Anti-Torpedo Torpedo System (ATTS) technologies is giving the Indian Navy a layered defensive shield. At the heart of this transformation are the Maareech Advanced Torpedo Defence System and the Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system—two technologies that address different aspects of the torpedo threat while laying the groundwork for future hard-kill interceptors.
The Indian Navy is transitioning toward a proactive underwater defense posture rather than relying solely on evasive maneuvers or passive detection. Modern torpedoes have become faster, quieter and far more accurate due to advanced acoustic homing technologies. This makes early detection and rapid response crucial for the survival of surface combatants and submarines operating in contested waters of the Indo-Pacific.
The Maareech Advanced Torpedo Defence System represents India’s first fully indigenous soft-kill Anti-Torpedo Torpedo System (ATTS) capability. Installed on several frontline warships, the system uses an integrated network of sensors and acoustic countermeasures to detect and divert incoming torpedoes. Instead of physically destroying the weapon, Maareech confuses its homing mechanism by deploying decoys that mimic the ship’s acoustic signature.
This approach significantly reduces the probability of a torpedo striking the vessel. When an incoming threat is detected, the system calculates the optimal decoy deployment pattern and releases acoustic emitters that lure the torpedo away from the ship. Such Anti-Torpedo Torpedo System (ATTS) technologies are essential in modern naval combat because they provide precious reaction time during high-speed engagements.
What is the difference between Maareech and SMART systems?
Maareech and SMART serve complementary roles within India’s underwater warfare strategy. While Maareech protects ships from incoming torpedoes through a defensive Anti-Torpedo Torpedo System (ATTS) framework, SMART extends the offensive reach against hostile submarines operating at long distances.
| Feature | Soft-Kill System (Maareech) | Hard-Kill / Strike System (SMART) |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Acoustic decoys and jammers | Missile-assisted torpedo delivery |
| Objective | Divert incoming torpedo | Destroy submarine target |
| Reaction Time | Moderate | Instant / terminal engagement |
| Deployment | Installed on warships | Long-range standoff launch |
This layered Anti-Torpedo Torpedo System (ATTS) architecture ensures that the Indian Navy can both defend against torpedo attacks and neutralise the source of the threat.
How does the DRDO SMART missile intercept submarines at long range?
The SMART system dramatically expands anti-submarine warfare reach by combining missile technology with a lightweight torpedo payload. Traditional ship-launched torpedoes typically operate within a limited engagement envelope, but SMART allows naval forces to strike submarines hundreds of kilometres away.
Key elements of the SMART mechanism include:
- Supersonic transit to the target area, drastically reducing the escape window for enemy submarines.
- Parachute-assisted release of the torpedo, allowing a TAL (Torpedo Advanced Light) or similar lightweight weapon to enter the water safely.
- Autonomous underwater homing, where the torpedo uses advanced sonar to locate and pursue the submarine.
With a demonstrated engagement envelope reaching up to 640 km, SMART creates a vast kill zone that allows surface ships to engage hostile submarines without entering their torpedo range. This capability complements India’s expanding Anti-Torpedo Torpedo System (ATTS) strategy by ensuring that submarines threatening naval formations can be targeted from stand-off distances.
Is India developing a Hard-Kill Anti-Torpedo Torpedo (ATT)?
While Maareech provides a soft-kill layer within India’s Anti-Torpedo Torpedo System (ATTS) framework, DRDO is also working on the next evolution of torpedo defense: the Anti-Torpedo Torpedo (ATT). Unlike decoy-based systems, ATT is designed to intercept and physically destroy an incoming torpedo.
Such hard-kill Anti-Torpedo Torpedo System (ATTS) technologies are already being explored by major naval powers, and India’s research efforts aim to deliver a similar capability tailored for its fleet. Once operational, ATT could provide instant terminal interception, dramatically improving ship survivability against advanced torpedoes.
Which Indian Navy ships are equipped with the Maareech ATDS?
Maareech is gradually being integrated across frontline Indian Navy warships, including modern destroyers and frigates that operate in high-threat maritime zones. The system works alongside indigenous underwater weapons such as Varunastra, a heavyweight torpedo designed for deep-strike anti-submarine warfare.
Future naval platforms—including next-generation submarines and the strategic S5-class SSBN program—are expected to benefit from similar sensor fusion technologies. Advances in artificial intelligence-driven target classification, partly demonstrated in missile programmes like Mission Divyastra, are also feeding into naval sonar networks to improve threat identification accuracy.
As regional submarine activity continues to expand, particularly with advanced torpedoes such as China’s Yu-series weapons entering service, India’s investment in indigenous underwater Anti-Torpedo Torpedo System (ATTS) technologies is becoming strategically critical. The combination of Maareech’s defensive shield and SMART’s long-range strike capability signals a broader shift in India’s naval doctrine—one that emphasises layered protection, technological independence and the ability to dominate the underwater battlespace.
