Naval Science and Technological Laboratory here, with assistance from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), has achieved the task of retrieving torpedoes and other underwater weapons embedded in the sea beyond diving depths during their evaluation trials, which had been considered impossible till now.
NSTL took up a three-day joint mission with NIOT of Chennai off the coast of Visakhapatnam. Ocean research vessel Sagar Nidhi and deep sea Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) of NIOT which was fitted with a special grabber system designed by NSTL were used. The joint mission was guided by Director of NSTL C.D. Malleswar and Director of NIOT M.A. Atmanand. The recovery was done on Wednesday and the ship reached Visakhapatnam with the retrieved weapon (a test fired torpedo) on Thursday.
“Recovery of a test fired torpedo embedded in the sea is an historic and first-of-its-kind feat accomplished by an Indian team” said Director General (NS and M) of DRDO V. Bhujanga Rao. Scientific Advisor to Defence Ministry and DG of DRDO Avinash Chander and Secretary to the Ministry of Earth Sciences Shailesh Nayak, who actively supported the operation, congratulated NSTL and NIOT.
“It is indeed a great achievement,” said Chief of Navy Admiral Dhowan. Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Satish Soni, along with other senior Naval officers, visited the ship and congratulated the scientists and engineers of NSTL and NIOT.
