The Italian Navy has selected Leonardo’s Black Shark Advanced (BSA) torpedoes for installation on-board the Todaro-class U212A 2nd Series submarines.

 

The new torpedoes are expected to significantly improve the Italian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability.

 

Leonardo has also agreed to provide associated logistical support services as part of the arrangement.

 

The company’s BSA weapon is an upgraded variant of the Black Shark heavy torpedo that has already been acquired by several countries worldwide, including Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Portugal and Singapore.

The advanced version of the equipment incorporates a new energy production section that can be optimised for both training and operational purposes.

Leonardo’s BSA is integrated with a newly developed rechargeable battery that allows the torpedo to be launched up to 100 times when used during training activities.

In addition, the weapon’s operational configuration includes a new battery for increased capability and performance.

The BSA torpedo has been is designed to deliver advanced performance and reduced lifecycle costs.

Leonardo produces the weapon at its manufacturing plant in Italy.

The U212 submarine was built by Fincantieri and has been developed under an agreement between the Ministries of Defence of Germany and Italy, which established a joint German-Italian submarine programme.

The 57.15m-long vessel has a surface displacement of 1,509t and a submerged displacement of 1,720t.