The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test-fired its Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ER-ASR) from the Indian Navy’s INS Chennai. This rocket has been designed to replace the existing Russian-origin Rocket Guided Bombs (RGBs) that the Navy currently uses.

Design and Purpose

The ER-ASR has been designed by two Pune-based facilities of the DRDO. It is an advanced anti-submarine rocket system that is capable of intercepting submarines at specific depths. The rocket has been designed to replace the existing RGBs that the Navy uses, which have a range of only five kilometers. The ER-ASR has a range of over eight kilometers, making it a more effective and efficient option for anti-submarine operations.

Features

The ER-ASR has several features that make it a superior alternative to the RGBs. Some of its key features include:

  1. Depth interception capability: The ER-ASR has been designed to intercept submarines at specific depths, making it a more effective weapon against submarines.
  2. Indigenised rocket launcher: The rocket system will be deployed in anti-submarine operations and will be fired from an indigenised rocket launcher that is mounted onboard various Indian naval ships. This means that the rocket launcher has been designed and manufactured in India, making the Navy less reliant on foreign suppliers.
  3. Firing modes: The ER-ASR can be fired in single or salvo mode, depending on the tactical mission requirements. This gives the Navy more flexibility in how they deploy the rocket system in different situations.
Benefits

The ER-ASR provides several benefits to the Indian Navy. Some of these benefits include:

  1. Increased range: The ER-ASR has a range of over eight kilometers, which is more than the five-kilometer range of the RGBs that the Navy currently uses. This increased range means that the Navy can engage submarines from a greater distance, reducing the risk to their own ships.
  2. Depth interception capability: The ER-ASR has been designed to intercept submarines at specific depths, which makes it a more effective weapon against submarines.
  3. Indigenised rocket launcher: The ER-ASR will be fired from an indigenised rocket launcher, reducing the Navy’s reliance on foreign suppliers and increasing India’s self-reliance.
Why In News

India’s indigenous ER-ASR anti-submarine rocket system, designed by two Pune-based DRDO labs, successfully completes its first test firing from INS Chennai, boosting India’s self-reliance in defense technology.

MCQs about India’s New ER-ASR Anti-Submarine Rocket

  1. What is the purpose of the Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ER-ASR) developed by DRDO?
    A. To replace the existing Indian Rocket Guided Bombs (IRGBs)
    B. To replace the existing Russian Rocket Guided Bombs (RGBs)
    C. To increase the range of Indian missile systems
    D. To intercept enemy aircraft
  2. What is the range of the ER-ASR?
    A. 5 kilometers
    B. 8 kilometers
    C. 10 kilometers
    D. 15 kilometers
  3. What is the key feature of the ER-ASR?
    A. Anti-aircraft capability
    B. Depth interception capability
    C. Surface-to-surface capability
    D. Interception of ballistic missiles
  4. What is the benefit of the indigenised rocket launcher for the ER-ASR?
    A. It reduces the range of the ER-ASR
    B. It increases the range of the ER-ASR
    C. It reduces the cost of the ER-ASR
    D. It reduces the reliance on foreign suppliers

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