US Torpedo Sinks Iranian Warship in Indian Ocean

• 05 Mar 2026

Source: TH

Why in News? 

A US submarine torpedoed and sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena about 40 nautical miles off Sri Lanka’s southern coast near Galle in the Indian Ocean, bringing the US-Israel-Iran Conflict closer to the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and marking the first US torpedo sinking of an enemy ship since World War II.

• Following the incident, Sri Lanka deployed naval vessels to rescue the sailors in line with its obligations under the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR Convention).

What is the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR)?

• About: The SAR Convention is an international agreement adopted in 1979 under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensure that people in distress at sea receive prompt rescue assistance.
• Key Features:

  • Global Search and Rescue System: Divides the world’s oceans into Search and Rescue (SAR) regions, with each coastal state responsible for coordinating rescue operations in its area.

  • Obligation to Rescue: Requires ships and coastal states to assist persons in distress at sea, regardless of nationality or status.

  • Coordination Mechanism: Establishes Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs) to organise and manage search and rescue operations.

  • International Cooperation: Encourages cooperation between neighbouring countries for swift rescue and evacuation.

• India and SAR:
  • India is a signatory to the SAR, 1979, ratified in 2001. In India, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) coordinates rescue operations in the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR), with the Director General ICG serving as the National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Authority (NMSARCA). 
  • The ICG also operates INDSAR, a voluntary ship reporting system that helps track vessels and respond quickly to maritime distress situations.
• Significance: SAR ensures humanitarian assistance at sea. It strengthens maritime safety and international cooperation.

  • SAR forms a key pillar of global maritime law alongside conventions like International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982.

Note: The IRIS Dena was attacked while returning from the International Fleet Review (IFR)  2026 in Visakhapatnam. 

• The IFR is hosted by the Indian Navy to build trust, interoperability, and "Bridges of Friendship" among global navies. 
• An attack on a participating vessel shortly after leaving Indian waters places New Delhi in a delicate diplomatic position, requiring a tightrope walk between its strategic partnership with the US and its civilizational and energy ties with Iran.

What is a Torpedo?

• About: A torpedo is a self-propelled underwater missile designed to destroy ships or submarines. Unlike naval mines, torpedoes actively travel through water, track targets, and detonate at the most destructive point, often beneath a ship’s hull.
• Evolution of Torpedoes:

  • Early Origins: The term “torpedo” originally referred to underwater explosive devices and naval mines.

    • During the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815), inventor Robert Fulton experimented with underwater explosive charges inspired by the electric ray fish.

  • Spar Torpedoes: Early naval forces used spar torpedoes, where an explosive was mounted on a pole and rammed into enemy ships.

    • These weapons were effective but extremely dangerous for attacking crews.

  • Modern Torpedo Invention: In 1866, engineer Robert Whitehead developed the first self-propelled torpedo. Powered by compressed air and equipped with automatic depth control, it could travel underwater independently and strike enemy ships from a distance.

    • This invention transformed torpedoes into true underwater guided weapons.

• Working:  Modern torpedoes use electric batteries or thermal propulsion systems and can travel at speeds above 50 knots for distances exceeding 50 km. They use sophisticated guidance systems, onboard sensors, and computers to track targets and maintain optimal attack depth.

  • Modern torpedoes rely primarily on acoustic homing technology as a guiding mechanism. 
    • Active acoustic torpedoes emit sonar signals and track echoes from targets, while passive acoustic torpedoes silently follow the noise generated by engines or propellers.
• Torpedoes in World Wars: Submarines became the most effective platforms for torpedo attacks during the world wars.
  • In World War II, the German U-boat Fleet sank thousands of Allied ships, forcing the development of convoy systems, sonar detection, and anti-submarine warfare tactics.
• Types of Modern Torpedoes: Modern torpedoes are classified as heavyweight torpedoes, mainly deployed by submarines to destroy large warships, and lightweight torpedoes, launched from ships, aircraft, or helicopters to target submarines. 
  • Some systems combine missile and torpedo technology, extending strike range.
• Strategic Importance: Torpedoes remain central to modern naval warfare because they are stealthy, precise, and highly destructive. 
  • Since they are hard to detect underwater, submarines can launch torpedo attacks while remaining hidden, making them one of the most effective weapons in maritime conflicts.
• Torpedo Technology in India: 
  • Varunastra: India's first indigenous advanced heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo, designed to be launched from both surface ships and submarines.
  • Shyena / Torpedo Advanced Light (TAL):  This is India's first indigenous advanced lightweight anti-submarine torpedo. It is highly versatile and can be launched from ships, submarines, and helicopters
  • Maareech (Defensive System): While not an offensive torpedo, Maareech is a crucial Advanced Torpedo Defence System (ATDS). It detects, diverts, and physically destroys incoming enemy torpedoes using towed decoys.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR)?
The International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (1979) is an International Maritime Organization treaty that establishes a global system for coordinating search and rescue operations for persons in distress at sea.

2. Which agency coordinates maritime search and rescue in India?
The Indian Coast Guard coordinates SAR operations in the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR), with the Director General ICG acting as the National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Authority (NMSARCA).

3. What is the significance of the SAR Convention?
It ensures humanitarian assistance at sea, strengthens global maritime safety, and promotes international cooperation in search and rescue operations.

4. What is the International Fleet Review (IFR)?
The International Fleet Review 2026 is a naval event hosted by the Indian Navy to enhance naval cooperation, interoperability, and maritime diplomacy among global navies.

5. What is a torpedo?

A torpedo is a self-propelled underwater missile designed to destroy ships or submarines using propulsion systems, acoustic guidance, and explosive warheads.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.

2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.

3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: d