By Staff Correspondent
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), has achieved a significant milestone with the successful test-firing of the Extended Range Anti Submarine Rocket (ER-ASR) from the Indian Navy’s INS Chennai on 3 April 2023.
This indigenous rocket system, designed to intercept submarines at specific depths, is poised to replace the existing Russian-origin Rocket Guided Bombs (RGBs) and boost India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The maiden tests of the ER-ASR included evaluations of its performance at short and long ranges of 2.7 kilometres and 8.5 kilometres, respectively, with trajectory tracking facilitated by advanced onboard radar and telemetry systems. The onboard sonar system successfully confirmed the warhead’s underwater blast effect, underscoring the system’s efficacy.
The ER-ASR, featuring the flexibility of single or salvo mode firing as per mission requirements, is slated to be deployed in anti-submarine operations from indigenised rocket launchers installed on various Indian naval ships. DRDO officials laud this successful test as a significant step towards enhancing the Indian Navy’s warfare capabilities in anti-submarine warfare while aligning with the government’s vision of ‘Atma Nirbharta’ or self-sufficiency in defence.
Furthermore, DRDO officials highlight that the ER-ASR’s extended range of over eight kilometres positions it as a formidable replacement for the current RGB rockets, which have a range of five kilometres. This noteworthy achievement underscores India’s progress in developing indigenous defence capabilities and marks a significant stride towards bolstering its maritime defence capabilities.
