Iran successfully launched a Valfajr torpedo from its Fateh-class submarine to Improve its underwater fighting capacity and upgrade the fleet.
According to Mehr News Agency, the February 22, 2025, test during the Zolfaqar 1403 exercise marked a watershed moment in Iran's navy modernisation efforts.
The Valfajr torpedo, which runs on compressed pure oxygen fuel rather than compressed air, has better performance and a greater range. The weapon, designed for employment in various maritime environments such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and the Indian Ocean, strengthens Iran's deterrent potential in adjacent waters.
The Fateh-class submarine, which has been important to Iran's modernisation strategy since 2019, is 48 meters long and has a displacement of 600 tonnes. This diesel-electric vessel has six torpedo tubes that allow it to launch both torpedoes and anti-ship cruise missiles, making it a versatile weapon for coastal defence operations.
Iran also intends to modernise its submarine fleet by introducing Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology into the Fateh class. This advancement will allow submarines to run underwater for longer lengths, increasing endurance and operating depth, particularly in deeper places such as the Indian Ocean.
