VISAKHAPATNAM — April 25, 2026 : On April 23, 2026 Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has delivered India’s first production-grade Wire-Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT) to the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) at its Visakhapatnam unit, marking a key development in the country’s indigenous naval weapon production.
The torpedo was developed under the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) framework in collaboration with NSTL, a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). BDL acted as the production partner, with participation from Indian Navy teams throughout the realisation process. The system has been produced in both practice and combat configurations, enabling commonality between training and operational deployment.
The WGHWT incorporates a fibre-optic wire-guided mechanism combined with active-passive acoustic homing. The system allows real-time guidance updates from the launching platform, improving resistance to acoustic countermeasures. It is equipped with advanced homing and propulsion systems, along with programmed search, attack, and re-attack capabilities designed to operate across varied underwater environments.
The manufacturing process involved a network of industrial partners, including multiple micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) supplying key components. Officials stated that the integration of these suppliers supported the transition from development to production-grade realisation.
The handover ceremony was held at BDL’s Visakhapatnam facility and attended by senior officials from BDL, NSTL, DRDO, and the Indian Navy. Among those present were R V Hara Prasad, Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Naval Systems & Materials); A Madhavarao, Chairman and Managing Director of BDL; and Abraham Varughese, a senior defence official, along with specialised teams from all participating organisations.
The production-grade units will support further evaluation and integration activities by NSTL and the Indian Navy. The development also builds on earlier indigenous torpedo programmes, including the ship-launched Varunastra heavyweight torpedo, and contributes to expanding the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare inventory.
With this delivery, India joins a limited group of around eight countries capable of producing advanced wire-guided heavyweight torpedoes.
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