Sweden can hand over torpedoes for submarines distruvtion to Ukraine
22.02.2024 - 16:09
Recently, Sweden announced a package of military aid to Ukraine, which included the item “underwater weapons”. It can be both mines and torpedoes.
The item “underwater weapons” in the official message of the Swedish government is not specified, but in general, only two things can be included in this category – mines and torpedoes, Defense Express writes.
It is quite possible that we are talking about torpedoes, which are more relevant for Ukraine.
Sweden’s newest torpedo is the “Torped 47”, or SLWT, a light torpedo from Saab that will begin shipping in 2022.
The SLWT has the ability to engage both surface and submarine ships at a depth of more than 300 meters, a speed of more than 40 knots, the presence of active and passive guidance, and a target destruction range of 20 km. The weight of the warhead is 50 kg, while the total weight of the entire torpedo is only 340 kg, with a length of 2.85 meters and a diameter of 400 mm.
Read also: Destruction of Russian submarines should be the next step in the war.
“Thus, the SLWT is simply seen as the best candidate to arm drones such as the “Magura V5” and “Sea Baby”, or similar, which will therefore only play the role of weapons carrier rather than being kamikaze drones. Moreover, the launch of this torpedo does not require specialized torpedo tubes, it can be launched from fairly simple mechanisms,” the publication noted.
In particular, it is precisely such torpedoes that are most effective in destroying submarines of the Russian Federation, which cannot be hit underwater with the currently available means in the Armed Forces.
There is also an alternative in the form of the “Torped 45”, which is now being replaced by a newer version. At the same time, this torpedo does not belong to obsolete weapons, as it was created in the mid-90s. It has similar, but slightly smaller capabilities in terms of autonomy of guidance, but similar dimensions and weighs 20 kg less.
As previously reported by USM, Sweden recently announced the 15th aid package for Ukraine worth 683 million dollars. In particular, Sweden will hand over 20 landing craft, 10 Stridsbåt 90 amphibious assault craft and underwater equipment to Ukraine.
