ERASR – Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket
ARTICLE
In a remarkable leap for India’s maritime defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully developed and tested the Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) — a next-generation underwater warfare weapon designed to neutralize hostile submarines from stand-off distances. As naval warfare becomes increasingly asymmetric and stealth-based, weapons like ERASR will play a pivotal role in fortifying India’s coastal and deep-sea deterrence strategy.
The ERASR is a rocket-propelled underwater weapon launched from surface warships to deliver explosive payloads deep below the ocean surface. What sets ERASR apart from conventional anti-submarine rockets is its enhanced strike radius, which enables Indian Navy vessels to engage enemy submarines without having to close the distance—thus preserving stealth and safety. The system has been successfully fired during recent trials, earning praise from defence analysts and policymakers alike.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, ERASR was developed as part of India’s broader Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) initiative in defence. The system has been designed using indigenous technologies by DRDO labs, including the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) and Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL). Its components have also been sourced from Indian private and public sector firms, demonstrating an effective collaboration under Make in India.
In terms of deployment, ERASR is designed to be launched from multi-barrel rocket launchers onboard frontline Indian Navy destroyers, frigates, and corvettes. Once fired, the rocket follows a ballistic trajectory and delivers a high-explosive warhead to a pre-programmed underwater location, where it detonates near the suspected submarine. This delivery mechanism allows the Navy to engage threats beyond the range of conventional torpedoes, making it ideal for layered anti-submarine defence.
The rising threat of undersea intrusion by enemy submarines, especially from adversaries in the Indo-Pacific region, has prompted the Indian Navy to upgrade its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. With Chinese submarines frequently operating in the Indian Ocean and the growing capabilities of Pakistan’s underwater fleet, weapons like ERASR ensure that India remains tactically prepared. It complements other ASW assets such as the P-8I Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, sonar-equipped helicopters, and indigenous torpedoes like Varunastra.
One of the major advantages of ERASR is its quick reaction time and low cost per deployment compared to complex torpedo systems. It does not require target lock-on before launch and can be rapidly fired based on sonar-detected threats. This agility makes ERASR an ideal weapon for first-strike defence, especially in cluttered littoral zones and near critical infrastructure like ports, naval bases, and chokepoints such as the Strait of Malacca or Gulf of Mannar.
The successful testing of ERASR reflects India’s maturing capability in underwater weapons technology. It also signals a shift in naval doctrine — from a largely reactive posture to a proactive, forward-deployed deterrent model. By focusing on stand-off ASW firepower, India ensures that its naval assets can dominate the underwater battlespace, especially in future high-intensity conflicts where submarines may be used to disrupt maritime supply chains and blockades.
In conclusion, ERASR is not just a new weapon system—it’s a strategic game-changer for India’s naval forces. It embodies the convergence of indigenous R&D, strategic foresight, and combat readiness. As India continues to modernize its Navy with aircraft carriers, submarines, and destroyers, the inclusion of high-impact systems like ERASR ensures that the country is not only capable of defending its waters but also of projecting power across the wider Indo-Pacific maritime domain.
