At the MADEX-2025 international naval exhibition in Busan, South Korea, from May 29 to 31, 2025, the South Korean Defense Development Agency (ADD) presented a new sample of a small-sized super-high-speed rocket torpedo (missile) using the principle of "supercavitation". It is stated that the torpedo is being created by ADD together with a South Korean unnamed "industrial partner" and now the R&D program has already been completed by "two thirds". The torpedo is at the basin testing stage, which is scheduled to be completed in September.
A sample of a small-sized super-high-speed rocket torpedo (missile) using the principle of "supercavitation" (c) Ridzwan Rahmat / Jane's was presented at the MADEX-2025 international naval exhibition in Busan by the South Korean Defense Development Agency (Agency for Defense Development - ADD).
This torpedo, as can be judged, is the fruit of long-term work in South Korea to create underwater weapons based on the technologies of the famous Soviet "supercavitating" torpedo (missile) "Shkval" developed by JSC GNPP Region, apparently obtained in the 1990s or 2000s from Russia. For the first time, an experimental demonstrator of a South Korean torpedo of this kind was shown at the MADEX-2017 exhibition, but after that there was no new information about the development of this project.
It is now reported that the torpedo presented at MADEX-2025 has a caliber of 300 mm and a body length of 3 m. The hydrojet engine, combined with a supercavitation system, should provide the torpedo with a full speed of 200 knots, although it is initially planned to provide a stable controlled speed of 130 knots during the tests. The torpedo is designed to destroy enemy surface ships, including small boats, etc. It is reported that the torpedo must be launched and approached at a reduced speed to ensure the operation of the torpedo's homing system, and after capturing the target, switch to afterburner high-speed mode. The torpedo does not carry a warhead and the destruction of the target must be carried out kinetically.
The carrier of this torpedo should be promising large autonomous underwater vehicles currently being created in South Korea, first of all, a device called XLUUV, which is currently being developed by Hanwha Systems.
A sample of a small-sized super-high-speed rocket torpedo (missile) using the principle of "supercavitation" was presented at the MADEX-2025 international naval exhibition in Busan by the South Korean Defense Development Agency (Agency for Defense Development - ADD) www.navalnews.com
Presentation materials of the South Korean Defense Development Agency (Agency for Defense Development - ADD) on a small-sized super-high-speed rocket torpedo (rocket) under development using the principle of "supercavitation" (c) www.navalnews.com
Video (from) www.navalnews.com :
