Atlas Elektronik has recently secured a contract with the Hellenic Republic Ministry of National Defence. The agreement entails the delivery of a batch of heavy torpedoes for submarines belonging to the Hellenic Navy. Under the terms of the contract, Atlas Elektronik will provide 44 torpedoes of the SeaHake mod4 (DM2A4 Seehecht) variant, with a total value of EUR 112 million. The agreement stipulates a specific timeline for the deliveries. The initial batch, comprising eight torpedoes, is scheduled to reach the Hellenic Navy by December of this year. Subsequently, the second batch is expected to be delivered in August 2024, followed by the third batch in June 2025. The fourth and final batch will be supplied in 2025.
It is worth noting that the Hellenic Navy has faced a significant shortage of modern torpedo systems for a prolonged period. Despite Greece boasting a relatively robust submarine fleet consisting of ten German-made vessels, including two Glavkos-class (type 209/1100) submarines in service since 1972, three Poseidon-class (type 209/1200) submarines in service since 1979, one Okeanos (type 209/1500 AIP) submarine that underwent extensive modernization in 2009, and four Papanikolis-class (type 214HN) submarines in service since 2010. The acquisition of the SeaHake mod4 torpedoes will address this shortage and enhance the operational capabilities of the Hellenic Navy’s submarine fleet.
DM2A4 Seehecht (export designation “SeaHake mod 4”) is the latest heavyweight torpedo developed by Atlas Elektronik for the German Navy, as a further update of DM2 (Deutsches Modell 2) torpedo which was released in 1976. It features an advanced electrical propulsion system and a fiber optic cable for torpedo guidance and communication, which, in conjunction with advanced signals processing and mission logic, makes the torpedo largely countermeasure resistant. The DM2A4/SeaHake mod 4 is the first torpedo ever to be guided by a fiber optic wire. With a fully digital system architecture, increased range and speed and its new conformal array sonar with a very wide panoramic sensor angle as well as the additional wake homing sensor.
The weapon has a modular design that includes up to four silver zinc battery modules and is able to achieve a range of more than 50 km (27 nmi) and a speed exceeding 92.6 km/h (50 kn) powered by a high frequency permanent magnet motor. Exact performance data are classified. The torpedo design template may also be used as the basis for ROV. The weapon is armed with a 260 kg PBX, (RDX–aluminium) warhead (equivalent to 460 kg of TNT) with magnetic influence and contact fuzes. The charge and fuse are insensitive and electromagnetic pulse safe. The weapon has a length of 6.6 m when configured with 4 battery modules, and is respectively shorter when configured with either 3 or 2 battery modules depending upon the requirement of the operating unit. Diameter of the unit is 533 mm.
The torpedo is in service with the German Navy Type 212 submarines, has been delivered to the Pakistan Navy for service in the Agosta 90B submarines, has been selected by the Spanish Navy for its new S80A submarines and has been sold to other operators worldwide. In May 2018, Hellenic Navy released a Request For Information letter (RFI), asking various companies for acquiring 533mm heavy torpedoes for its four Type 214 Papanikolis submarines plus one updated Type 209 AIP Okeanos. In October 2020, DM2A4 was chosen as the preferred solution, with a program consisting of 36 DM2A4, plus refurbish of number of older SUT Mod0 to Mod4 standard, plus extra batteries for older SST torpedoes / SUT Mod0 torpedoes, with a total cost of 105m euro. In September 2021, the contract was modified, with a program consisting of 44 DM2A4, without refurbishment of a number of older SUT Mod0 to Mod4 standard, plus extra batteries for older SST torpedoes / SUT Mod0 torpedoes, with a total cost of 110m euro.
