The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) in Pune, has successfully developed and indigenised a signal star naval flare specifically designed for deployment on Kalvari-class submarines of the Indian Navy.
This achievement marks a significant stride both in enhancing the Navy’s operational readiness and in furthering the nation’s strategic objective of technological self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The system was formally handed over to the Director General – Naval Armament Inspection (DG-NAI) in a ceremony held in Pune, symbolising its official induction into the Navy’s underwater warfare suite.
The signal star naval flare represents a highly specialised underwater pyrotechnic communication device engineered to meet the demanding operational requirements of modern submarines. It is launched from the submarine’s signal ejector, traverses the water column, and upon reaching the surface, activates through a hydrostatic mechanism.
The ignition sequence triggers a high-intensity pyrotechnic charge that burns with sustained brightness, producing a star-like light visible over extended distances. This ensures functionality even in adverse weather conditions and during night operations, where visibility and recognition play a critical role in survivability and tactical communication.
A notable feature of this flare lies in its dual-colour signalling mechanism. Depending on the tactical requirement, the device emits either a brilliant red or green star-like illumination.
The red signal is designated for distress, emergency, or urgent tactical communication, serving as a critical alert tool during submarine deployments. Conversely, the green signal provides a means of identification, recognition, or safe-operational communication, particularly during coordinated fleet maneuvers.
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This dual-capability mechanism enables submarines to maintain secure and reliable communication with surface vessels and aircraft, ensuring operational coherence during joint exercises and tactical missions.
The engineering of the flare incorporates a pressure-resistant casing designed to withstand the immense stresses of underwater deployment, making it reliable under high hydrostatic pressures encountered by submarines.
The system has been optimised for long shelf-life, durability, and consistent performance in challenging marine environments, underscoring the depth of indigenous expertise in advanced pyrotechnic formulations, structural design, and material science.
Functionally, the system has broad applications beyond tactical operations. It can be employed for the identification of friendly vessels, emergency location marking in rescue scenarios, and in fleet training exercises to simulate realistic operational conditions.
The flare thus significantly enhances both wartime utility and peacetime preparedness, serving as a versatile communication and safety tool for submarine operations.
The successful development and indigenisation of the signal star naval flare eliminate dependency on foreign suppliers for a critical underwater pyrotechnic system, thereby addressing a vital vulnerability in India’s naval logistics.
In the broader strategic context, it demonstrates India’s advancing capabilities in the domain of high-energy materials, naval warfare technology, and defence manufacturing self-reliance.
By replacing imports with a domestically developed solution, the technology directly contributes to strengthening India’s defence preparedness and supports the long-term vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Officials associated with the project have emphasised that this breakthrough not only elevates the operational readiness of the Indian Navy but also establishes indigenous credibility in an area traditionally dominated by advanced foreign suppliers.
It highlights DRDO’s growing role as a pillar of innovation in India’s defence ecosystem, leveraging scientific excellence and engineering strength to equip the armed forces with state-of-the-art indigenous technologies tailored to their operational needs.
The induction of the signal star naval flare for Kalvari-class submarines is an important milestone for India’s naval deterrence and communication capabilities.
It reinforces both the tactical effectiveness of the Indian Navy in multifaceted maritime domains and the strategic goal of strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing to achieve technological sovereignty.
Based On A PTI Report
Agency
