OVERVIEW: The Advanced Light Torpedo (TAL) Shyena is an Indian lightweight, air- and ship-launched acoustic-homing torpedo introduced in 2012. It is designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) in deep and shallow waters, from fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and surface vessels.

DETAILS: Developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) under India’s DRDO program, the Shyena is the first indigenously developed lightweight torpedo to enter Indian Navy service. It has a 324 mm diameter, uses an electric propulsion system powered by silver-zinc batteries, and features both active and passive acoustic homing. The system incorporates pre-programmed search patterns, shallow-water operation capability, and resistance to countermeasures. It is deployable from Indian Navy ships and ASW aircraft such as the P-8I and helicopters like the HAL Dhruv and Sea King.

TYPE: Lightweight acoustic-homing torpedo

FUNCTION: Upon launch, the Shyena executes a preprogrammed search pattern and activates its dual-mode seeker to detect submerged threats. It tracks targets using active or passive sonar and detonates its warhead upon contact or proximity to enemy submarines.

NOTE:
IOC: 2012 (Shyena)
Operators: India, Myanmar, Mauritius
Platforms: P-8I Neptune MPA, HAL Dhruv ASW, Sea King Mk.42B helicopters, Kamorta-class corvettes, Shivalik-class frigates, Kolkata-class destroyers
Conflict used in: No confirmed combat use
Manufacturer: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), India (developed by DRDO/NSTL)

SOURCE:
Jane’s Underwater Warfare Systems ; DRDO India: https://www.drdo.gov.in ; Bharat Dynamics Ltd: https://bdl-india.in/product/advanced-light-torpedo-tal ; SIPRI Arms Transfers Database: https://armstrade.sipri.org ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/index.html