India has successfully conducted user trials of its Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) onboard INS Kavaratti. Developed indigenously by DRDO and partners, ERASR enhances the Navy’s anti-submarine capabilities in shallow and coastal waters, placing India among the select nations with homegrown ASW rocket systems.
New Delhi (ABC Live): ERASR: Between June 23 and July 7, 2025, the Indian Navy successfully completed user evaluation trials of the Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) onboard INS Kavaratti—a Kamorta-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette.
? Press Information Bureau Release
? What is ERASR?
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Ship-launched Anti-Submarine Rocket |
| Platform | INS Kavaratti (Wiki) |
| Launch System | Indigenous Rocket Launcher (DRDO IRL) |
| Propulsion | Twin Rocket Motor Configuration |
| Range (Min-Max) | 500 meters to 8,900 meters (8.9 km) |
| Warhead Detonation | Indigenous Electronic Time Fuze |
| Trial Period | June 23 to July 7, 2025 |
| Collaborating Agencies | DRDO-ARDE, HEMRL, NSTL, BDL, Solar Defence |
? Performance Data from the Trials
| Parameter | Result/Remarks |
|---|---|
| All 17 Rockets Fired | Achieved desired trajectories |
| Fuze Functionality | Worked precisely across all ranges |
| Range Consistency | Stable across 0.5–8.9 km firing envelope |
| Environmental Tolerance | Passed standard shock, heat, and vibration benchmarks |
? ABC Research Commentary
“The ERASR’s successful testing from INS Kavaratti is not just a technical milestone—it is a strategic signal. By developing a rapid-response ASW system with modular range capability and precise fuze control, India is effectively narrowing the underwater deterrence gap that traditionally existed between detection and neutralization. As submarine activity surges in the Indo-Pacific, ERASR demonstrates India’s readiness to secure its near seas with homegrown technology.”
— ABC Research & Defence Strategy Group
? Comparative Table: ERASR vs. International ASW Rocket Systems
| System / Country | ERASR (??) | RBU-6000 (??) | ASROC RUM-139C (??) | CY-5 (??) | K-ASROC (??) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Ship-launched (IRL) | Ship-launched | VLS-launched | Ship-launched | VLS-launched |
| Guidance | Ballistic, time-fuzed | Ballistic | Guided Torpedo (Mk-54) | Guided Torpedo | Guided Torpedo (Blue Shark) |
| Range | 0.5 – 8.9 km | 0.3 – 6 km | ~22 km | 12 – 30 km | 19 km |
| Warhead | Explosive | Explosive | Lightweight Torpedo | Yu-7 Torpedo | K745 Blue Shark |
| Indigenous Design | Yes (DRDO, BDL, NSTL) | No (Soviet-era legacy) | Yes (Raytheon) | Yes (CASIC, NORINCO) | Yes (LIG Nex1) |
| Cost-efficiency | High | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Target Suitability | Littoral/Coastal Zones | Coastal Only | Blue-water Submarine Threats | Deep/Blue-water | Deep/Blue-water |
?? Strategic Analysis
? Why ERASR Matters for India
-
Enables rapid-response ASW capability without depending on costly torpedoes or aircraft-based systems.
-
Addresses ASW needs in congested littoral zones like the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Malacca Strait.
-
Perfectly aligns with India’s corvette/frigate-heavy fleet, especially Kamorta-class ASW ships.
? Versus Global Peers
-
Less range than U.S. or Chinese missile-torpedo hybrids, but more cost-effective and faster to deploy.
-
More flexible than Russia’s RBU due to twin motors and electronic fuze.
-
Easier integration for non-VLS ships unlike ASROC or CY systems, which require vertical launchers.
?? Official Statements
“The ERASR trial marks a quantum leap in India’s ASW preparedness,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
“Its successful performance reflects the maturity of our indigenous naval armament ecosystem,” added DRDO Chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat.
? Conclusion
The Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) trial from INS Kavaratti confirms that India now has a reliable, flexible, and fully indigenous ASW rocket system ready for deployment. While it may not compete with the top-end VLS-based torpedo missiles in range, it excels in rapid coastal defence, cost-efficiency, and operational simplicity.
? For ABC Live’s ongoing coverage of India’s indigenous defence modernization, visit ABC Defence Portal.
