DRDO Transfers Submarine-Fired Decoy Technology to BDL

The technology for the development of Submarine-Fired Decoy (SFD) has been handed over to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is yet another initiative taken by the organisation for bolstering the indigenously developed defence equipment in the water domain for India. The technology handover contract has been inked by NSTL, which is the Naval Science and Technology Laboratory under DRDO. SFD has been designed to provide defence to the submarines from the threats of incoming torpedoes using countermeasure technologies.

DRDO-BDL Technology Transfer Agreement

NSTL has signed an agreement with BDL for the production of the Submarine-Fired Decoy.

As per the terms of the ToT contract, BDL will undertake the production of the technology developed by DRDO. This step is anticipated to benefit the indigenous production of the submarine defence systems.

Bharat Dynamics Limited, based out of Hyderabad, is one of the leading defence public sector undertakings and has earlier collaborated with DRDO on several advanced weapon systems.

Submarine-fired Decoy Defined

The Submarine-Fired Decoy is a countermeasure system designed to save a submarine from any possible attack using torpedoes.

In case the submarine becomes the target of a hostile torpedo attack, a decoy may be used to produce false signals and signatures to deceive the torpedo and mislead it from the real submarine.

It will give the submarine more time and space to handle the situation.

Role of NSTL and BDL

Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) is a DRDO laboratory that develops technology in connection with naval warfare, especially underwater weapons and their systems.

On the other hand, BDL acts as the manufacturing agency for some DRDO technologies in defence sector.

Thus, transfer of SFD technology involves manufacturing aspect which is a part of making India self-reliant in defence manufacturing sector.

Significance to India’s Underwater Defences

Submarines require more than one line of defences for survivability; these include stealth, sonars, torpedoes, and underwater defence systems. The use of decoys is an integral part of the system as it enables submarines to defend themselves against the threat posed by incoming torpedoes.

The manufacture of the SFD in India will lessen reliance on overseas manufacturers for crucial underwater defences.

The project is in sync with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat strategy of the government.