China unveils powerful new torpedo capable of sinking aircraft carriers: footage released.

According to information published by 史画映 on August 4, 2024, China has, for the first time, publicly released footage of a new torpedo exercise. The video shows the stern of a target ship being blown out of the water by a powerful explosion, with a water column reaching an estimated height of 100 meters.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Ship hit by the Yu-10 torpedo during an exercise. (Picture source: Chinese TV)

This new, secretive torpedo is capable of destroying enemy aircraft carriers. The footage, broadcast by CCTV, is part of a rare public display of the attack capabilities of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) submarines.

During the exercise, a Type 039B submarine successfully deployed the new torpedo against a target ship, believed to be a decommissioned Type 074 amphibious landing ship.

Military analysts speculate that the torpedo in question is the rumored Yu-10, which was reportedly put into service in 2015 but has never been publicly showcased until now. This event marks the first public demonstration of the Yu-10, indicating that more advanced torpedo technologies may currently be under testing or development.

The development of the Yu-10 has been shrouded in mystery. In early 2019, an official procurement notice on a military equipment website mentioned the need for maintenance of Yu-10 prototypes, confirming the existence of this torpedo model. This followed earlier reports in 2013 by a prominent domestic media outlet, though no visual confirmation was provided at the time.

In the recent exercise, the Yu-10 struck the stern of the target ship, causing an explosion that lifted the ship's stern out of the water and produced a 100-meter-high water column, showcasing the torpedo's immense destructive power.

This footage was broadcast as part of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the PLAN submarine force. The height of the water column, exceeding the length of the vessel, attests to the torpedo's significant explosive impact. Experts suggest that a direct hit from this torpedo could incapacitate an aircraft carrier, even if it does not sink it, and would be even more effective against destroyers or landing ships.

The Yu-10 heavy torpedo is estimated to have a range exceeding 50 kilometers, comparable to the American MK 48 Mod 7 torpedo. In the torpedo development arena, China has been catching up with leading nations like the United States and Russia. Despite trailing in some areas, such as supercavitating torpedoes where Russia has long held the lead, China remains one of the few countries capable of developing and manufacturing heavy torpedoes.