DRDO’s Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) has signed Transfer of Technology agreements with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the Submarine Fired Decoy (SFD), marking a major step in strengthening India’s underwater defensive capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat drive.

This partnership ensures indigenous production of advanced countermeasure systems for the Navy.

The Submarine Fired Decoy is a critical defensive system designed to protect submarines against incoming torpedoes. By deploying the decoy, a submarine can mislead hostile weapons, thereby increasing survivability in contested waters.

The technology has been developed by NSTL, a premier DRDO laboratory specialising in naval systems, and is now being transferred to BDL for large-scale production.

BDL, headquartered in Hyderabad, has long been the designated production partner for DRDO’s advanced weapon systems. The signing of the ToT agreement for SFD follows similar collaborations on heavyweight torpedoes, air defence missiles, and underwater countermeasure systems.

This ensures that the Indian Navy will have access to domestically manufactured decoys, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and enhancing operational readiness.

The decoy system is part of a broader effort to strengthen India’s underwater warfare capabilities. Alongside torpedoes and sonar systems, decoys form the layered defence architecture of submarines. The SFD is expected to be integrated into both conventional diesel-electric submarines and nuclear-powered platforms, providing protection across the fleet.

The ToT agreement also reflects the growing synergy between DRDO and BDL. NSTL has been the lead developer of underwater weapons, while BDL has emerged as the production agency capable of handling complex naval technologies.

This collaboration has already delivered indigenous wire-guided heavyweight torpedoes, which were handed over to NSTL earlier this year at Visakhapatnam. The addition of the SFD further consolidates India’s underwater defence ecosystem.

The agreement is significant in the context of increasing submarine activity in the Indian Ocean. With Chinese Yuan-class and Jin-class submarines frequently deployed in the region, India’s need for robust countermeasure systems has become urgent.

The SFD will provide submarines with a reliable shield against torpedo threats, enhancing deterrence and survivability.

The productionisation of the SFD at BDL will involve contributions from multiple industrial partners, including MSMEs, thereby strengthening the domestic defence manufacturing base. It also aligns with the Defence Ministry’s push for self-reliance, ensuring that critical technologies remain under national control.

Officials from DRDO and BDL have commended the dedicated efforts of scientists, engineers, and production teams involved in the project. Their work highlights India’s growing expertise in underwater warfare technologies and the ability to translate laboratory innovations into deployable systems.

The signing of this ToT agreement is not just a milestone in technology transfer but also a strategic achievement. It ensures that India’s submarines will be equipped with indigenous defensive systems, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing combat effectiveness in the maritime domain.

Agencies