Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket

Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket

Why in News? 

Recently, India successfully completed user trials of its homegrown Extended Range Anti‑Submarine Rocket (ERASR) from INS Kavaratti. The breakthrough bolsters India’s naval defence with homegrown firepower.

• In this series of successful tests held between June 23 and July 7, 2025, the Indian Navy conducted 17 live firings of ERASR from INS Kavaratti. 
• These tests confirmed the system’s ability to meet all mission parameters—range, fuze function, detonation timing, and structural stability. 

What is Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR)? 

• About: ERASR stands for Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket. It is a naval weapon system designed to destroy enemy submarines hiding below the sea surface.

• The rocket moves through the air before diving into the sea to strike enemy submarines underwater. It fills the need for long-range engagement in shallow or deeper waters.

• Developed By: India fully developed the ERASR domestically, with Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) under DRDO taking the lead in its creation.

• Features: 

• The ERASR follows a robust and compact design tailored for ship-based vertical launch. 

• Its structure includes a rocket motor, warhead section, and a hydrodynamic nose cone.

• • ERASR is a fully indigenous anti-submarine rocket built to eliminate underwater threats.
  • It launches directly from real-time onboard systems of Indian Naval Ships.
  • Its twin-rocket motor design supports a wide range of mission distances with strong accuracy and reliability.
  • It employs a homegrown Electronic Time Fuze to ensure precise targeting.
  • The rocket has an extended strike range of up to 8.9 kilometres.
  • The warhead delivers a high-explosive impact, specifically designed for underwater blast effectiveness.

Significance of ERASR for Anti-Submarine Warfare

• Boosts India’s Maritime Security: Submarines are hard to detect and can approach silently near the coastline. Submarine activity by China and Pakistan has grown significantly in the Indian Ocean region. ERASR helps ships detect and attack enemy submarines from a safe distance of over 8.9 km.

• Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat: India used to rely on imported anti-submarine weapons. But with ERASR, the country now manufactures a full-scale rocket system locally. This is in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, which promotes domestic manufacturing in critical sectors. 

• Enhances Quick-Response Capability: Underwater threats require immediate action because delay can cause major damage. Submarines can launch torpedoes or enter restricted waters within minutes. ERASR gives Indian naval ships the ability to respond instantly. The system connects directly with onboard sensors and sonar. Once a submarine is detected, ERASR can be launched in seconds. 

• Fills the Gap: Many ships have advanced sonar systems to detect underwater threats. But there was a gap in weapons that could engage those threats effectively at long distances. ERASR bridges this gap. It works alongside the ship’s sonar to target and neutralize threats. The Electronic Time Fuze allows accurate control over where and when the rocket explodes underwater. 

India’s Major Anti-Submarine Warfare Water Crafts

• INS Kamorta: INS Kamorta marked a turning point in India’s effort to develop its own anti-submarine warships. It was commissioned in August 2014 and it was the first warship of the Kamorta-class under Project 28. Its most defining feature is the full carbon composite superstructure, which significantly reduces its radar cross-section and enhances stealth. 

• INS Kadmatt: INS Kadmatt strengthened the Navy’s ability to detect and neutralize underwater threats. It was commissioned in January 2016 as the second vessel built under Project 28. What sets it apart is its Advanced Bow Mounted Sonar (HUMSA-NG), which allows for early and accurate submarine detection in both shallow and deep waters.

• INS Kiltan: INS Kiltan, inducted in October 2017, introduced advanced digital integration to the Navy’s ASW fleet. Its standout capability is the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), which brings all navigation, combat, machinery, and power systems onto a single automated control platform.

• INS Chennai: INS Chennai, a guided-missile destroyer, plays a key role in India’s underwater defence strategy. Commissioned in November 2016, it is equipped with both Rocket Launcher Systems and Torpedo Tubes, giving it dual capability in engaging submarines across ranges. 

• INS Vela: INS Vela, a Kalvari-class submarine commissioned in November 2021 to enhance stealth attack capabilities below the surface. It operates quietly underwater, making it ideal for covert missions and anti-submarine warfare in contested maritime zones.

• INS Vagir: The Indian Navy added INS Vagir to its arsenal in January 2023, making it the fifth Kalvari-class submarine. What makes it special is its long-endurance deep-sea operation ability, supported by high-performance batteries and noise suppression tech.