America sank an Iranian warship with lethal weapon torpedoes. This attack took place in international waters near Sri Lanka. American submarine fired a torpedo. Its black and white footage is also viral. First a ship appeared and then there was a loud explosion. The US Defense Minister has claimed that this is the first time after World War II that American soldiers have sunk an enemy warship in the sea. The Defense Minister has considered it a disaster like the Second World War.
The entire Middle East is in crisis between Iran and the Israeli-American war. No one knows when this war and tension will end, in such a situation it is important to know what is India’s position in the matter of torpedoes? How does it work against the enemy? Let us understand in detail.
What is a Torpedo after all?
Torpedo is considered the most dangerous weapon of the sea. It looks like a missile, but it moves underwater. The target becomes the enemy’s warship, submarine or big tanker. Three things become clear from this. Torpedo is still a decisive weapon of war. It can sink any big ship in the ocean in the blink of an eye. The country which is ahead in torpedoes and submarines, its dominance is visible in the entire ocean.
It is an automatic, self-propelled weapon. Walks under water. Capable of carrying an explosive warhead with itself. Searches for targets through sensors and guidance systems. Explodes under a ship or submarine. The explosion falls directly on the hull of the ship. Many times the ship breaks into two parts. It is also called ship killer.
India’s Lightweight Torpedo.
America vs India, what is the picture?
America is a superpower in torpedo and submarine technology. It has nuclear submarines. They can patrol long distances. Their torpedoes are very fast, smart and long range. This capability was demonstrated in the attack on the Iranian warship. A precise strike from within the dark waters, without being detected.
India’s situation is different, but not weak. India does not aim for global dominance like America. His entire focus is on deterrence and defense. This means giving a clear message to any enemy in the Indian Ocean that attacking India will be very costly. Indian torpedoes may not be of American standard, but they are modern, upgraded and with increasing capability.
How many torpedoes does India have?
It is important to keep one important thing clear here. No responsible country, including India, makes public the exact number of torpedoes, missiles or bombs it has. This information is confidential for security reasons. From open sources, defense reports and expert estimates, all that can be said is that the Indian Navy has not dozens but hundreds of torpedoes. They are also deployed on submarines, warships, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft. India is also replacing its old torpedoes. New, indigenous and imported torpedoes are being inducted into the Indian fleet.
India’s Torpedoes and Features
India uses many types of torpedoes. Some are completely indigenous. Some have been purchased from friendly countries. India itself has upgraded some.
- Heavy Torpedo: They are big and powerful. These are usually fired by submarines. Their range is more. The warhead is also big. The speed is also fast. Capable of targeting both large warships and submarines. India has developed indigenous heavyweight torpedoes. The guidance systems in these have been designed according to the Indian maritime areas. These are fired from Indian submarines. Many old torpedoes are now being replaced by new ones.
Heavy Indian Torpedo.
- Light Torpedo: They are small in size, but very dangerous. These are carried by ships, helicopters or maritime patrol aircraft. These can be launched quickly. These have been specially designed for anti-submarine warfare. They can search and attack in both shallow and deep water. India’s indigenous light torpedoes are the result of joint efforts of Indian research institutes and Navy. These torpedoes search for enemy submarines and attack them.
- Smart Torpedoes and Network Based Systems: Modern torpedoes do not move straight. They may change course. You can choose your own target. Don’t fall into the trap of the enemy. In other words, recognize them. India is moving towards such smart system. They are being connected with sonar, data link and network centric warfare. This means that Indian torpedoes can not just fire and forget, but can operate on the basis of real time information.
Where is India’s torpedo power?
India has a long coastline in the Indian Ocean. The Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean are all part of India’s maritime security. Submarines of the Indian Navy patrol these waters. They are fitted with heavyweight torpedoes which are a warning to any enemy warship or submarine. If any country tries to exert pressure near India’s coast, India has the ability to respond to it with torpedoes.
The Indian Navy has anti-submarine warfare helicopters. There are also maritime patrol aircraft. They fly over the sea. Search for submarines with sonar. Then drop light torpedoes. Due to this the enemy submarine cannot hide. Torpedoes go down and target it.
India no longer wants to completely depend on foreign supplies for torpedoes. Other institutions including DRDO are designing their own torpedoes. Private and public sector companies are engaged in their production. There are two big benefits from this. During times of war, the supply chain is going to be safe from external pressure. India can also re-design and upgrade them as per its needs.
Powerful visuals capture a US submarine launching a torpedo that sinks an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. pic.twitter.com/shEpolT2xa
— The Indian Index (@IndianIndex) March 4, 2026
Does India attack like America?
The clear answer to this is no. India’s approach is different. India generally does not conduct aggressive messaging strikes. India is known as a defensive and responsible power. Still, technically speaking, India has submarines. They have heavyweight torpedoes on them. There are modern sonar and fire control systems. If ever there is a threat to the country’s security or if a war situation arises, India also has the full capability to sink enemy ships or submarines with torpedoes. The only difference is that America often shows it openly. India treats it like a quiet power.
In which direction is India’s torpedo power going?
India is moving in many directions in the coming years. Its emphasis is on indigenous manufacturing. There is emphasis on technology transfer and domestic research and development. India intends to work on advanced sonar for complex marine environment. India also has the ability to identify enemy submarines even in noisy waters. India is also focusing on digital and network centric warfare. Meaning, ships, submarines, helicopters and aircraft will share data with each other. Torpedoes can be launched at the right target at the right time. In this way, India’s torpedo power is increasing not only in numbers but also in quality and networking.
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