Sweden's potent anti-submarine weapon Torpedo 47: A game-changer in Ukraine's stand-off with Russian fleet
Despite numerous reputational blunders, the Russian Black Sea Fleet successfully blocked the Black Sea for an extended period. The introduction of new Western weapons, such as the Storm Shadow missiles, to Ukraine and relentless attacks from unmanned sea vessels eventually compelled Russia to retract its naval presence despite Ukraine lacking a formal naval fleet.
9:21 PM EST, February 20, 2024
Moscow's remaining power in the waters is its submarines, which operate without any threat due to Ukraine's lack of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) resources.
This balance of power might alter in the near future as Sweden has announced it will supply Ukraine with a crucial new weapon named the Torpedo 47 or SLWT (Saab’s Lightweight Torpedo).
The announcement of the SLWT delivery was subtly made within the information that Sweden would support Ukraine with a weapons package worth $680 million. This includes, among other items, swift CB90 (Combat Boat 90) boats and 'underwater' weaponry.
Ukrainian sources infer that the aforementioned 'underwater weapon' refers to the Torpedo 47. What exactly is this weapon, and what are its capabilities?
Torpedo 47 (SLWT)
The Torpedo 47, a Saab-developed lightweight torpedo, is a brand-new weapon created to counter submarines. The weapon was introduced to service in 2022 (deliveries started as of October) among the Swedish and Finnish navies.
A key advantage of the SLWT over its predecessors is its versatility; it can be launched from various platforms, ranging from different types of ships, planes, and helicopters to makeshift carriers specifically designed for this task.
Ukrainians view this versatility as a benefit, as the Torpedo 47 is an excellent fit for diverse naval drones. With such weaponry, the hardware Ukrainians use against the Russian fleet would transition from kamikaze to modern, unmanned carriers of potent weapons.
Designed specifically for the Baltic Sea's challenging environments, the SLWT can operate in varying water depths and complex seabed topographies. The Torpedo 47 is relatively compact - the torpedo is approximately 9 feet long, has a 1.3 ft diameter, and weighs around 750 lbs. The explosive charge accounts for roughly 110 lbs. of this weight.
The Torpedo 47 has a range of approximately 12 miles, a passive and active guidance system, and can travel at speeds exceeding 40 knots. It can target submerged objects at depths greater than 984 feet.
