India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has tested a long-range Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo (SMAT) system.
The test was executed from Wheeler Island off the coast of Balasore in Odisha on 13 December.
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In a statement, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the SMAT system is an advanced ‘missile-based standoff torpedo delivery system’.
It is designed to improve the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability beyond the torpedo’s conventional range.
The MoD stated: “This was a text book launch, where the entire trajectory was monitored by the electro-optic telemetry system, various range radars, including the down range instrumentation and down range ships.”
The canister-based missile system carried a torpedo, parachute delivery system, and other release mechanisms.
Launched from ground mobile launcher, the missile system can cover a wide range of distances.
This missile system comprises two-stage solid propulsion, electro-mechanical (EM) actuators and precision inertial navigation.
Several technologies have been developed by DRDO laboratories for this missile system.
On the successful test of the SMAT missile, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the team associated and said that the latest development ‘is a perfect example of building futuristic defence systems in the country’.
DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy also congratulated the team and said that the SMAT missile system will further promote self-reliance in defence.
Last month, the Indian Navy received advanced EW system Shakti, designed and developed by DRDO’s Defence Electronics Research Laboratory in Hyderabad.
