South Korea will develop new lightweight anti-submarine torpedo


According to information published by the Korea Herald on November 1, 2021, South Korea approved a plan to develop homegrown lightweight torpedoes by 2028 to enhance the Navy's anti-submarine capabilities, the state arms procurement agency said.
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Russian Vyborg Shipyard laid the Purga ice class coastguard ship of project 23550 925 001 K-745 Blue Shark Torpedo (Picture source: Rhk111)


Presided over by Defense Minister Suh Wook, the Defense Project Promotion Committee endorsed the project worth 160 billion won ($135 million), the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.

The K745 Chung Sang Eo (Blue Shark) torpedo is a light anti-submarine torpedo developed for the Republic of Korea Navy in 2004. The Blue Shark torpedo can be deployed from surface ships, ASW helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft. The production cost for each torpedo is about ₩ 1,000,000,000. Blue Shark torpedoes are fitted to the Incheon class frigate (FFX).

The Chung Sang Eo has a length of 2.7 m, a width of 32 cm, and a weight of 280 kg. The propulsion system allows the torpedo to cruise at a speed of 83 km per hour and an operational range of 19 km.