RGB-60
RGB-60 (Rocket Guided Bomb model 60) is a Russian anti-submarine weapon with a range of 5,700–6,000 m that can function to depths of 500 m. They can be fired from ships in salvos of up to 12 using the RBU-6000.[1]
Indian Navy service
Local production
India has several local versions of the RGB-60. An indigenous version by HAPP and Tiruchi was reported in 2010.[2] In 2012 a version of the RGB-60 was provided to the Indian Navy by Ammunition Factory Khadki with a strike range of 1,500 m.[3] In 2023, a new YDB-60 fuse was delivered.[4]
Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR)
In 2020s, the Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) was developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) as the nodal development agency as an extended range variant of existing RGB-60 rocket. Other establishment's under DRDO including High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) and Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) were also involved in the project. ERASR has twin motor propulsion system which can fire the rocket in short range and long range mode to achieve a distance of 500–8,900 m (1,600–29,200 ft). The rocket was successfully test fired from INS Chennai (D65) on 3 April 2023.[5][6]
Between 27 June and 3 July 2025, the Indian Navy completed the user trials of ERASR from the Indigenous Rocket Launchers (IRL) onboard INS Kavaratti (P31). A total of 17 rockets were successfully fired at different ranges during the trials. Each of the objective of the trials, including warhead functioning, electronic time fuze operation, and range performance, were effectively demonstrated. In this development, Bharat Dynamics Limited and Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited are the production partners of the rocket system. The Navy is also expected to induct the ERASR System soon.[7]References
- ^ Friedman, Norman (2006), The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems, Naval Institute Press, p. 756, ISBN 1557502625
- ^ "HAPP, Tiruchi develops indigenous version of RGB 60 for Indian Navy". The Hindu. 18 March 2010.
- ^ Indian Navy receives RGBs and Kavach decoy systems, Kable, May 28, 2012, retrieved 2015-04-27
- ^ Sharma, Soumya (6 March 2023). "Indian Navy receives first indigenous fuse for RGB-60". Naval Technology.
- ^ Kulkarni, Sushant (2023-04-06). "Anti-submarine rockets developed by 2 Pune labs successfully tested from INS Chennai". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "Anti Submarine Rocket for RBU 6000 Launcher". Defence Research & Development Organisation. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "User trials of Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket successfully carried out from INS Kavaratti" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 2025-07-08. Retrieved 2025-07-10.