Indian Navy Commissions Torpedo Launch And Recovery Vehicle

The Indian Navy’s locally built torpedo launch and recovery vessel, INS Astradharani was commissioned in Vaizag on the Eastern Coast today.

The 50-metre twin-hulled warship is also the first to be built at a private yard with armament fixtures, the Indian MOD said.

The unique design of the ship was a collaborative effort of Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), IIT Kharagpur and Shoft Shipyard. The catamaran hull configuration significantly reduces its power requirement.

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Satish Soni, who commissioned the ship, said that the induction of INS Astradharani helps self reliance in underwater weapons development. “Such a ship has been a long-felt need and it is a dream come true,” Vice Admiral Soni said.

INS Astradharani will be used in trials of underwater weapons and systems developed by the city-based NSTL. It is a replacement for Astravahini which was decommissioned on July 17 this year.

The ship has a complement of two officers and 27 sailors and can carry 13 scientists.

The ship reflects the capability of our scientists and manufacturing facilities and would go a long way in the `Make in India' campaign of the Government, Outstanding Scientist and Director NSTL C.D. Malleswar said.

The design was tested at the facilities at the NSTL and this is a technologically advanced replacement for the Astravahini, Director General (NS and M) of the DRDO V Bhujanga Rao said.