Italian 'Black Shark' back in contest for navy's torpedo need

Italian 'Black Shark' torpedo, which courted controversy more than a decade ago after it came under allegations of corruption and irregularities, is back in contention for an Indian Navy requirement of heavy weight torpedoes for the Kalvari class submarines.

Manufactured by Leonardo, erstwhile Finmeccanica, the torpedo is being considered for the requirement of 48 heavyweight torpedoes after the Italian company was taken off the blacklist. Other options for the estimated ₹3,000 crore contract are from Germany and France.



While the German and French torpedoes were tested by the Navy as part of a competition two years ago that did not fructify, the Italian weapon was last tested in 2009 during the UPA regime.

Sources said that the tender process that has been initiated does not specify field evaluation trials by competitors, making it unclear whether the evaluators will rely on past data or technical information about the product.

A detailed questionnaire sent to the navy and Leonardo did not receive a response till press time.

The Black Shark was the frontrunner for a requirement of 98 torpedoes in 2008-09. However, the project was dropped in 2013 and the case was referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation by the defence ministry.


The Navy has been seeking to acquire new HWTs for over a decade now. The last bid was a competition between a German and a French torpedo for the requirement, with the French F21 coming out to be technically compliant and the lowest bidder. However, the contract could not reach the signing stage.

The defence ministry subsequently approved a two-pronged plan - acquisition of a limited quantity of 48 torpedoes to meet immediate requirements from a foreign vendor and a Make in India plan for the larger requirement. Defence Research and Development Organisation could take a lead role on the indigenous project by roping in a private partner.

The weapons are to be equipped on India's Kalvari (Scorpene) class of submarines that are being built by Mazagaon Dockyard. India has a total of six of these submarines on order and an additional three of the same class are being negotiated.