DRDO Successfully Conducts User Trials of ERASR from INS Kavaratti

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the final user trial of the indigenously developed Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) from the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kavaratti. 

According to the DRDO, the successful user trials of the ERASR are now complete and are ready for induction into the Indian Navy.

The last user trial of ERASR was conducted from 23 June to 7 July 2025 from INS Kavaratti. The DRDO conducted the first test of the ERASR on April 3, 2023, from the Navy’s guided missile destroyer, INS Chennai.

The ERASR will replace the existing Soviet-era RBU-6000 Smerch-2 system currently deployed on Indian naval ships with a range of up to 5 km.

Who has developed the ERASR Rocket System?

The ERASR rocket system has been indigenously designed and developed by two DRDO labs based in Pune. The  Armament Research and Development Establishment, as well as the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.

Both the rocket launcher and the rocket have been developed in India.

Who manufactures the ERASR Rocket System?

The launcher and the rocket have been manufactured by the Hyderabad-based public sector company, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and the private sector company Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, based in Nagpur.

About the ERASR

The ERASR rocket system has been designed to destroy hostile underwater submarines near Indian naval warships.

Minimum range- 500 meters and a maximum range of 8.9 km.

The rocket carries depth charges that explode at the depth where the hostile submarine is hiding.

The rocket is equipped with a dual-motor propulsion system that enables it to be fired for either short or long range.

The ERASR system can fire a single rocket or a volley of rockets.

The induction of the ERASR system will greatly enhance the anti-submarine capability of the Indian Navy.

Chairman of DRDO- Dr Samir V Kamat