Under a Teaming Agreement signed on March 10, 2026, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), through its Atlas Elektronik segment, will transfer SeaHake mod4 heavyweight torpedo technology to Hyderabad-based VEM Technologies.
The transfer of technology (ToT) covers software licences and intellectual property required for manufacturing, integration, and potential future upgrades of the torpedoes in India.
According to The Times of India (ToI), VEM would be responsible for procuring raw materials, fabrication, manufacturing, and final assembly. Atlas Elektronik will transfer torpedo technology, along with the required software licences, to facilitate production.
According to VEM representatives, the Atlas Elektronik partnership will enable the company to participate in the production chain of advanced naval weapon systems. The latest pact formalises the next phase of cooperation in torpedo development and production programmes.
VEM has been a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) partner for the development of the MPATGM since 2015. The company is an Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) partner in the development of the AMCA. It builds the centre fuselage for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft as a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) partner. It produces the Ku-band seeker for the Astra Mk‑1 developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI).
It also manufactures the Stabilised Electro-Optical Sight (SEOS)—a two-axis panoramic sight designed to provide surveillance capability under both static and mobile conditions—developed by Dehradun-based Instruments Research & Development Establishment.
The current VEM–TKMS teaming could eventually spawn a joint venture focused on supplying heavyweight torpedoes to the Indian market and exploring export opportunities in the future.
SeaHake Torpedo
The SeaHake mod4 (also known as DM2A4) can be deployed from both warships and submarines. Powered by an electric motor, it has a maximum speed of 50 knots and a maximum range exceeding 27 nautical miles. SeaHake’s modular battery system allows configurable range-and-speed trade-offs. It can operate at depths of up to 600 m.
The SeaHake employs advanced fibre-optic wire guidance with active/passive sonar homing and autonomous modes, enabling it to operate effectively in cluttered or countermeasure-heavy environments.
It features a 260 kg PBX explosive warhead (equivalent to 460 kg of TNT) equipped with magnetic and contact fuzes for versatile detonation.
DRDO’s WGHWT
VEM’s tie-up with Atlas Elektronik is likely aimed at offering an alternative to the submarine-launched wire-guided heavyweight torpedo that DRDO is developing, named WGHWT.
Like the SeaHake, the WGHWT has a maximum speed of 50 knots, a maximum range of 27 nm, a maximum operating depth of 600 m, and features electric propulsion. It carries a 250 kg high-explosive warhead.
The WGHWT is a derivative of the Varunastra heavyweight torpedo designed and developed by DRDO for use by Indian Navy warships. Varunastra has been in operational use since 2023.
Varunastra HWT
Varunastra is a warship-launched anti-submarine torpedo featuring low-drift navigation systems, acoustic homing, advanced acoustic countermeasure capabilities, and autonomous guidance algorithms. It has a maximum speed of 40 knots and a maximum operating depth of 600 m. It has a wide look angle capable of tracking silent targets.
Varunastra is too large to be fitted on a submarine and is also a generation behind contemporary torpedo technology.
As already mentioned, the WGHWT relies on wire guidance and likely features active-passive acoustic homing inherited from Varunastra.
A critical upgrade that makes the WGHWT more advanced than Varunastra is the use of a Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) inertial navigation system, which serves as a fallback to satellite navigation (SATNAV) at depths where satellite signals cannot penetrate.
The WGHWT is capable of autonomous navigation, but the fibre-optic cable link allows the operator to manually steer the torpedo toward the target’s “blind spot” or even abort the attack after launch. Varunastra lacked these advanced features.
DRDO has so far showcased WGHWT prototypes, but the torpedo remains under development.
It is likely that VEM has teamed up with Atlas Elektronik to bridge the gap between the Indian Navy’s operational requirements and the eventual induction of the WGHWT.
Black Shark Advanced (BSA) Torpedoes
In December 2025, the Indian Navy placed an order for 48 Black Shark Advanced torpedoes with WASS Submarine Systems, a subsidiary of Italian major Fincantieri, for use on its Kalvari (Scorpene) class submarines.
Deliveries under the €200 million contract are scheduled to take place between 2028 and 2030.
Besides the delivery of torpedoes, the scope of the agreement includes launching networks for Scorpène-class submarines, as well as maintenance equipment and a full package of spare parts to ensure long-term operational readiness and sustainment.
The BSA is already in operational service with the Italian Navy and six other navies worldwide.
The BSA procurement is considered an interim measure to plug a critical capability gap. The Indian Navy requires more than 200 additional torpedoes, which it plans to procure through indigenous design and development or through foreign design with indigenous manufacturing under Transfer of Technology (ToT).
Conclusion
It is likely that the foreign-vendor-developed BSA (WASS, Italy) and SeaHake (TKMS/VEM Technologies) will compete with the DRDO-developed WGHWT for the contract to supply the Indian Navy with additional heavyweight torpedoes to meet emerging requirements.
The TKMS–VEM Technologies teaming agreement envisages production of as many as 500 torpedoes annually for the Indian Navy.
Besides Project-75 Scorpène submarines, indigenously manufactured torpedoes will arm Project-75I submarines, as well as the 12 indigenous SSKs to be developed under Project-76 and the six SSNs planned under Project-77.
It is important to note that SeaHake software will be licensed to VEM Technologies. As such, VEM will remain dependent on Atlas Elektronik for future improvements.
As things stand, the WGHWT likely lacks the stealth and versatility of SeaHake. For example, SeaHake features low-noise pump-jet or skewed propellers that reduce the acoustic signature. It is also more versatile, as it can be used by both warships and submarines.
However, it is likely that through continued development, DRDO’s WGHWT will eventually catch up with the sophistication of SeaHake.
- Vijainder K Thakur is a retired IAF Jaguar pilot, author, software architect, entrepreneur, and military analyst.
- Follow the author @vkthakur
