The Indian Navy has initiated a crucial procurement process to equip its most advanced conventional submarines with heavyweight torpedoes (HWTs), a move essential for bolstering India's underwater combat capabilities.
Italian defence firm Leonardo, through its subsidiary Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS), has emerged as a strong contender with its Black Shark torpedo, competing primarily with France’s Naval Group.
The tender is for an initial 48 torpedoes, but the long-term plan involves manufacturing over 200 units in India, a proposal central to the Italian bid.
India's six Kalvari-class submarines, built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project-75 with French technological assistance, currently operate without their primary anti-ship and anti-submarine weapon.
This situation has forced the Navy to rely on older torpedoes, significantly limiting the combat effectiveness of these modern platforms. The current tender aims to resolve this critical capability gap for the existing fleet and for three additional submarines being planned.
This procurement marks the third attempt by the Navy to acquire modern HWTs after a long and troubled history.
A previous deal for the Black Shark torpedo, finalised in 2008, was cancelled following corruption allegations related to the VVIP helicopter scandal involving Leonardo’s parent company at the time, Finmeccanica. A subsequent offer from France for its F21 torpedo, despite being technically compliant, also failed to materialise.
With the ban on Leonardo now lifted by the Indian government, the competition has been reopened, with a possibility that the selection may rely on past trial data rather than new field evaluations to expedite the process.
The Italian offer centres on the Black Shark Advanced (BSA) torpedo, a versatile 533mm weapon designed to neutralise both enemy submarines and surface vessels. Powered by an advanced lithium-polymer battery, it can achieve a high speed of 50 knots (approx. 93 km/h) and has a range of 50 km.
The Black Shark torpedo's sophisticated guidance system, known as ASTRA (Advanced Sonar Transmitting and Receiving Architecture), allows for precise targeting in complex deep and coastal waters. A key cost-saving feature is its rechargeable battery, which permits up to 100 practice launches for training purposes.
Competing against the Black Shark is the F21 torpedo from France's Naval Group. This weapon is already in service with the French and Brazilian navies and is designed to operate effectively in noisy and cluttered coastal environments.
The F21 was previously tested and found technically compliant by the Indian Navy, giving it a strong technical standing in the current competition. While its performance is well-regarded, the final decision will likely weigh its cost against the Italian offer.
Germany's SeaHake Mod 4 from Atlas Elektronik is also considered a potential, though less prominent, contender.
The decision will likely balance cost against strategic partnerships. The Italian bid is reportedly the more cost-effective option, and a process that forgoes new trials could favour it based on past performance data.
However, Naval Group holds a significant advantage through its deep involvement in the Kalvari-class submarine programme, which includes an established industrial and after-sales support ecosystem in India.
A central element of the Italian proposal is its strong alignment with India’s ‘Make in India’ defence policy. WASS is actively exploring partnerships with Indian public and private sector firms, including Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Larsen & Toubro, to establish a local production line.
This strategy aligns with the Navy’s plan to import an initial batch to meet urgent needs while developing a domestic manufacturing base for the larger requirement.
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has already developed the indigenous Varunastra heavyweight torpedo, which is in service, but foreign procurement is still necessary to arm the Kalvari-class specifically.
The potential for domestic manufacturing of a world-class torpedo offers significant long-term benefits for India. It would lead to lower lifecycle costs, greater self-reliance in maintenance and upgrades, and would strengthen India's defence industrial base.
Furthermore, it could position India as an export hub for torpedoes, complementing its growing success with exports like the BrahMos missile.
A successful deal will not only finally arm the Navy’s premier submarines but also provide a major boost to the nation's strategic autonomy and manufacturing ambitions.
