Question: Varunastra which was recently in news is a-
a) Anti Submarine Torpedo
b) Surface to air missile
c) Air to surface missile
d) Anti- tank missile
Answer: (a)
Related Facts:
- On 21 November 2020; anti submarine torpedo Varunastra was delivered to the Indian Navy.
- G. Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO flagged off the first Varunastra, at a ceremony held at BDL, Visakhapatnam Unit.
- This is a heavy weight torpedo that has been designed and developed by Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.
- Bharat dynamics Limited BDL being the production agency, is manufacturing Varunastra at its Visakhapatnam Unit for the Indian Navy.
Specialties associated with Varunastra:
- It is powered by electric propulsion system with multiple 250 kw silver oxide Zinc (AgOZn) batteries.
- It is capable of being launched both from Ships and Submarines.
- It weighs near about 1.25 tons and can carry upto 250 kg of conventional warhead.
- Varunastra is capable of achieving the speed of 40 Knots( 74 kms/hr)
By – Rajesh Tripathi
Links:-
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/drdo-flags-off-first-varunastra-a-heavy-weight-torpedo/article33150441.ece
https://www.naval-technology.com/news/drdo-flags-off-first-varunastra-hwt-production-unit-for-indian-navy/