Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS) of Italy has termed its contract to deliver 48 Black Shark Advanced (BSA) heavyweight torpedoes to the Indian Navy a decisive step in strengthening India’s underwater combat capability.
The Buy Global agreement will see the torpedoes integrated on all six Kalvari-class submarines built in India under Project 75, marking a key upgrade for the Navy’s frontline conventional submarine fleet.
According to WASS Submarine Systems marketing and sales chief Andrea Ruffini, the BSA is among the world’s most capable heavyweight torpedoes, designed to deliver high performance across a broad spectrum of current and next-generation naval platforms.
Jointly developed with the Italian Navy, the torpedo features cutting-edge propulsion, precision guidance and advanced counter-countermeasure capabilities, enabling reliable performance in complex undersea battlespaces.
The system is already deployed by seven navies globally and is compatible with multiple submarine classes, including Scorpene, Kilo, U-boat and Västergötland platforms.
For India, the induction of the BSA will significantly improve the lethality and survivability of the Kalvari submarines, bolstering deterrence across the Indian Ocean amid rising regional maritime competition.
The ₹1,896 crore contract, signed on 30 December 2025, includes all equipment required for full integration, with deliveries planned between April 2028 and early 2030.
WASS has indicated that the agreement could evolve into a long-term partnership, with proposals for technology transfer and local production aligned with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Such localisation would deepen Indian expertise in advanced torpedo systems while reducing lifecycle dependence on foreign suppliers, echoing earlier successful models of licensed production and industrial collaboration.
Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero described India as a central pillar of the group’s future growth, noting that the BSA deal aligns with New Delhi’s broader push to modernise its submarine and undersea warfare forces.
