Pipavav Defence, ATLAS To Build Heavyweight Torpedo

India’s Pipavav Defence & Offshoring Engineering Company (PDOC) and Germany-based ATLAS ELEKTRONIK are teaming up to build new Heavyweight Torpedo for the Indian Navy.

ATLAS also offers the SeaHake mod4 torpedo, amongst the most advanced Heavyweight Torpedoes and has a range in excess of 140 km. In line with PDOC’s philosophy of offering open architecture defence solutions, the SeaHakemod4 is compatible with all current and future Indian Navy submarines including those of the Scorpene and Shishumar classes.

ATLAS owns the entire IPR of the SeaHakemod4 torpedo and will transfer technology to meet Buy (Indian) and Buy and Make (Indian) criterion.

PDOC and ATLAS will create a Joint Venture (JV) company in which ATLAS undertakes Transfer of Technology while PDOC will handle domestic manufacturing and business development. PDOC has begun the process of identifying domestic medium and small-scale enterprises to leverage India’s existing base of expertise. The JV partners also envision creating a Center of Excellence for Torpedo Technology with the DRDO and leading Defence PSUs such as BEL and BDL. Thus, this cooperation will go beyond licensed production and promote domestic absorption of advanced technology to pave the way for a truly indigenous Indian torpedo.

Mr. Rajiv Sarman Shukla, CEO of PDOC, said “We are proud to partner with ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, the leading player in torpedo technology, to build an indigenous torpedo for the Indian Navy. This partnership will allow India to build a domestic technology and manufacturing base in underwater weaponry and reduce reliance on imported products.”

Mr. Volker Paltzo, CEO of Atlas, said “Our decision to partner with Pipavav is in-line with our ongoing commitment to the Indian market. Atlas is unique in the range of torpedo technologies that we have to offer to India and we are confident that Pipavav are well suited to build the industrial coalition required for a complex product like the Torpedo. We look forward to an ever increasing engagement with India.”

ATLAS has earlier been associated with the Indian Navy to supply SUT torpedo for the Shishumar class submarines, and recently signed a contract to upgrade the said torpedo.