SMART Torpedo: Can be a Game Changer for Smaller Navies Against China’s Dominance?

SOURCE: AFI

China’s growing naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region poses a significant challenge for smaller countries. Countering this dominance often requires expensive fleet expansion, which may not be feasible for all nations. Here’s where India’s recently tested Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system emerges as a potential game changer.

Unlike conventional submarine-launched torpedoes, SMART leverages a missile to deliver a torpedo over extended ranges. This could allow smaller navies to engage Chinese warships from a safe distance, mitigating the risk of direct confrontation with China’s superior fleet.

The extended range effectively expands the operational area of smaller navies. A single Truck-based equipped with SMART can potentially threaten a much larger area, forcing China to disperse its forces and making it harder to dominate strategic chokepoints.

While Developing and maintaining a large fleet to rival China is financially prohibitive for smaller nations. SMART Could offer a cost-effective alternative, providing a credible deterrent against larger Chinese forces. Acquiring SMART technology would allow smaller navies to leapfrog over generations of torpedo delivery systems, putting them on par with more advanced navies in terms of this specific capability.

The SMART system has the potential to be a disruptive force in the Indo-Pacific. By developing a restricted (MTCR) variant for export, India can empower smaller nations to deter Chinese aggression and promote a more balanced regional order. However, careful consideration needs to be given to export controls and the capabilities offered in the export variant to ensure responsible use and maintain India’s own military edge.