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EXTENDED-RANGE ANTI-SUBMARINE ROCKET

8th April, 2023 Defence

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Context: Anti-submarine rockets created by Pune laboratories were successfully tested from INS Chennai.

Details

Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ER-ASR)

  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Pune-based facilities created the Extended Range Anti Submarine Rocket (ER-ASR), which was successfully test-fired for the first time from the Navy's INS Chennai.
    • According to DRDO officials, the rocket is intended to replace the current Russian-made Rocket Guided Bombs (RGBs).
  • The ER-ASR was created with the intention of detecting submarines at certain depths.

Key Features

  • The rocket system will be used in anti-submarine operations and will be launched from an indigenous rocket launcher installed onboard several Indian naval ships.
  • It is made up of two motor propulsion systems that can launch the rocket in Short Range and Long Range modes to achieve various range capabilities.
  • Depending on the tactical mission requirements, ER-ASR can be launched in a single or salvo mode.

Performance

  • The performance of the rocket system was assessed during the initial tests from the Navy's guided missile destroyer INS Chennai at a short range of 2.7 kilometres and in long-range mode at 8.5 kilometres.
  • The underwater explosion impact of the missile was observed by the onboard sonar equipment.

Significance

  • Steps towards Atma Birbhar Bharta: The first successful test from the ship, according to DRDO officials, is a step towards improving the Indian Navy's capacity for anti-submarine warfare and towards reaching "Atma Nirbharta" in defence.
  • Import Substitution: According to DRDO officials, the ER-ASR was created to replace the ship-mounted RGB rockets of existing Russian provenance. The ER-ASR can attain a range of nearly eight kilometres, whilst the RGB has a range of only five kilometres.

Keywords

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) works under the Ministry of Defence.
  • It was founded in 1958 by the amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production of the Indian Ordnance Factories.
  • The DRDO is India's largest and most diversified research organisation. It has a network of 52 laboratories working on developing defence technologies in a variety of fields, including aeronautics, armaments, electronics, land combat engineering, life sciences, materials, missiles, and naval systems.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Self-reliance in defence production is critical for enhancing defence capacity, preserving national sovereignty, and achieving military dominance. The establishment of a strong security infrastructure is critical for India's geopolitical goals and for defending against hostile neighbouring activities. Examine the statement in relation to Indian defence production.

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/anti-submarine-rockets-pune-labs-successfully-tested-8542838/