Iran announces serial production of YT-534 UW1 'Valfajr' torpedo

Iran on 13OCT15 announced serial production of the the Marine Industries Organization YT-534 UW1 Valfajr ("Dawn") anti-surface torpedo.

According to MODAFL, this latest variant of the YT-534 (North Korean export designation for PT-97W) is "mostly utilized in the submarines," features "short pre-launch preparation time" and "detects the target with radars and sonar."

This variant with "U" in the designation appears to provide the Ghadr-class midget submarine with capability to launch the YT-534 type wake homing torpedo. Indeed the video provided below appears to depict an IRIN Ghadr-class test-launching a YT-534 UW1 Valfajr torpedo.

The Valfajr torpedo was previously announced in 2011 with specifications that included a 220 kg warhead.

Seeker head detail of YT-534 UW1 Valfajr ("Dawn") torpedo

Announcing serial production of the YT-534 UW1 Valfajr ("Dawn") torpedo, left to right:
- IRIN Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari
- Minister of Defense IRGC Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan
- IRIN Rear Admiral Amir Rastegari, military head of of Marine Industries Organization (MIO)

IRIN Submarine Test-Launch of Valfajr Torpedo:

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

IRGC-N underwater test-firing of a cruise missile

 

Above: video still of IRGC-N underwater test firing of a cruise missile

The IRGC-N announced on 27FEB15 it had test-fired a "new strategic weapon" in the final day of the Great Prophet 9 exercise.

Iran media video depicted the test-firing of submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM), or perhaps a submerged launch system intended for development towards a missile-launch capable submarine. The cruise missile appears to be equipped with a booster.

Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, commander of IRGC-N, said the new weapon would be critical in any future naval war against the U.S.

"The new weapon will have a very decisive role in adding our naval power in confronting threats," he was quoted as stating in Sepah News.

No further details on the launch or specifications for the cruise missile type were released.

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