Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?
Contents11
- AAmphibious warfare ship
- BNuclear-powered submarine
- CTorpedo launch and recovery vessel
- DNuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Show answer
Answer: (C) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
Answer: (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
INS Astradharini is India's first indigenously designed (95%) Torpedo Launch and Recovery Vessel (TLRV).
Commissioned in 2015, built by Hindustan Shipyard, Visakhapatnam.
It tests, tracks, and recovers torpedoes during naval trials.
'Astradharini' means 'carrier of weapons' in Sanskrit (Astra = weapon, Dharini = carrier).
Why not others?
- (a) Amphibious ship = INS Jalashwa.
- (b) Nuclear submarine = INS Arihant.
- (d) Nuclear aircraft carrier = India doesn't have one.
INS Astradharini was commissioned in 2015 as India's first indigenously designed torpedo launch and recovery vessel, built by Hindustan Shipyard in Visakhapatnam.
The vessel became prominent in 2015-16 news coverage as part of India's Make in India naval indigenization efforts, making it a current affairs topic for UPSC 2016.
UPSC is testing whether students can distinguish between different naval vessel types and their specific functions rather than just knowing famous ships like INS Arihant or INS Jalashwa.
INS Astradharini (TLRV)
Science And Technology INS Astradharini Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
INS Astradharini: India's First Indigenous Torpedo Launch & Recovery Vessel
INS Astradharini is India's first indigenously designed Torpedo Launch and Recovery Vessel (TLRV)
95% indigenous design, built by Hindustan Shipyard, Visakhapatnam
Commissioned in 2015 for testing and recovering torpedoes during naval trials
Name means 'carrier of weapons' in Sanskrit (Astra = weapon, Dharini = carrier)
Primary Function
INS Astradharini serves as a specialized platform for torpedo testing operations. During naval trials, it launches torpedoes, tracks their underwater trajectory, and recovers them for analysis - a critical capability for developing and validating India's torpedo systems.
Key Specifications
95% indigenous design - major milestone in India's naval self-reliance
Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam
Equipped with advanced tracking and recovery systems for torpedo retrieval
Supports testing of various torpedo types used by Indian Navy
Part of India's push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in defense manufacturing
Naval Vessel Categories
Vessel Type | Example | Primary Function | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
Torpedo Launch & Recovery Vessel | INS Astradharini | Torpedo testing & recovery | 95% indigenous design |
Amphibious Warfare Ship | INS Jalashwa | Landing troops on enemy shores | Largest amphibious vessel |
Nuclear Submarine | INS Arihant | Strategic deterrence | Nuclear-powered ballistic missile sub |
Aircraft Carrier | INS Vikrant/Vikramaditya | Force projection | Conventional propulsion |
Don't confuse TLRV with amphibious ships - Astradharini tests torpedoes, doesn't carry troops
India has NO nuclear-powered aircraft carrier - only conventional carriers like INS Vikrant
INS Jalashwa is the amphibious warfare ship, not Astradharini
95% indigenous doesn't mean 100% - some components still imported
Indian Naval Fleet Categories
Science And Technology Amphibious warfare ship Nuclear-powered submarine Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Indian Navy: Key Vessel Categories & Strategic Assets
INS Jalashwa - India's largest amphibious warfare ship for troop landing operations
INS Arihant - India's first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
India operates conventional aircraft carriers (INS Vikrant, Vikramaditya) - NO nuclear carriers
Nuclear triad achieved through Arihant-class submarines
Major Indian Naval Assets
Category | Key Ships | Propulsion | Primary Role | Strategic Importance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aircraft Carriers | INS Vikrant, INS Vikramaditya | Conventional | Force projection, air superiority | Blue water navy capability |
Nuclear Submarines | INS Arihant, INS Arighat | Nuclear | Strategic deterrence | Nuclear triad completion |
Amphibious Ships | INS Jalashwa | Conventional | Troop/equipment landing | Expeditionary warfare |
Destroyers | Kolkata-class, Visakhapatnam-class | Conventional | Air defense, anti-ship | Fleet protection |
Frigates | Shivalik-class, Nilgiri-class | Conventional | Anti-submarine warfare | Maritime security |
Strategic Capabilities
Nuclear Submarine Program: Arihant-class provides sea-based nuclear deterrent
Aircraft Carrier Program: INS Vikrant (indigenous) + INS Vikramaditya (ex-Soviet)
Amphibious Capability: Limited to INS Jalashwa and smaller landing craft
Indigenous Manufacturing: Growing focus on domestic shipbuilding under Make in India
India has NO nuclear-powered aircraft carriers - only US, France, and Russia operate them
Don't confuse nuclear propulsion with nuclear weapons - Arihant has both
INS Jalashwa was acquired from USA (ex-USS Trenton) - not indigenous
Conventional vs Nuclear subs: Most Indian subs are diesel-electric, few are nuclear
Hindustan Shipyard & Defense Manufacturing
Indian Economy
Hindustan Shipyard Limited: India's Strategic Shipbuilding Hub
Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) - major defense PSU based in Visakhapatnam
Built INS Astradharini with 95% indigenous content - milestone in naval self-reliance
Key player in India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat defense initiatives
Strategic Importance
Hindustan Shipyard Limited represents India's push toward defense manufacturing self-reliance. Located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, it builds both naval vessels and commercial ships, contributing to India's goal of reducing defense imports.
Major Indian Shipyards
Shipyard | Location | Ownership | Key Projects | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hindustan Shipyard Ltd | Visakhapatnam | Public (PSU) | INS Astradharini, Naval vessels | Defense & Commercial |
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders | Mumbai | Public (PSU) | Submarines, Destroyers | Naval vessels |
Garden Reach Shipbuilders | Kolkata | Public (PSU) | Corvettes, Fast Attack Craft | Naval vessels |
Cochin Shipyard | Kochi | Public (PSU) | INS Vikrant, Commercial ships | Aircraft carriers |
Indigenous Manufacturing Push
95% indigenous content in INS Astradharini - major achievement in defense manufacturing
Part of Strategic Partnership Model to boost private sector participation
Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat goal of reducing defense imports from 70% to 35%
Contributes to Make in India initiative in defense sector