Palestine group Hamas unveils Al Asef unmanned torpedo to strike Israel.

According to information published by Israel Defence on November 3, 2023, the Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson has disclosed details regarding an advanced type of maritime weapon in the arsenal of Hamas: an unmanned torpedo capable of autonomous navigation using GPS systems.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Al Asef unmanned torpedo. (Picture source: Hamas)

Dubbed "Al Asef," this torpedo-like vehicle was featured in a Hamas video, claiming its use against multiple Israeli targets during the conflict known as "Operation Guardian of the Walls."

The existence of such unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) under Hamas' control is not entirely new. Approximately two and a half years ago, in May 2021, reports surfaced of the Israeli Navy, in collaboration with air units, thwarting an attempt by Hamas' naval forces to deploy such a device intended for a mission in Israeli territorial waters.

The IDF spokesperson has updated that Hamas possesses these unmanned submarines that are small in size and carry an explosive warhead of about 50 kilograms. These UUVs are deployed towards their targets, where they navigate independently and detonate upon reaching their objective.

In the same report, journalist Eyal Pinko recounted that Hamas' Research and Development wing has been endeavoring for years to develop various maritime instruments. The first category includes unmanned surface vessels, such as converted racing or fishing boats, operated remotely or autonomously pre-programmed with a mission.

The second category comprises semi-submersible vessels or gliders, characterized by their ability to remain submerged or just above the water surface, rendering them exceedingly difficult to detect.