November 11, 2013 : The DRDO has inaugurated Talvar, its brand new Electrical Heavyweight Torpedo Integration Centre at Visakhapatnam, to cater to the specific needs of the Varunastra heavyweight torpedo for the navy as well as future heavyweight torpedo programmes and collaborations. The advanced facility is fully equipped for subsystems level assembly, functional checks, systems checks, preparation, balancing, pressure tests and full torpedo evaluation. The 7,500 square metre facility, built at a cost of Rs 7.2 crore is a state of the art wing of the Naval Science & Technology Laboratory (NSTL). While the Navy is in the process of acquiring heavyweight torpedoes from Europe, it is also keenly watching progress on the Varunastra, which along with future variants will arm frontline submarines and ships. At 1.25 tonne, the Varunastra delivers a 250 kg explosive payload at a top speed of of 38 nautical miles per hour. Final trials, acceptance trials and tests of the Varunastra will be conducted at the Talvar facility.