K745 Blue Shark

The K745 Blue Shark (Korean: 청상어; RR: Cheong-sang-eo) is a lightweight anti-submarine torpedo developed for the Republic of Korea Navy in 2004.^[1]

K745 Blue Shark K745 청상어 경어뢰
A scale model of a Blue Shark lightweight torpedo
Type	Lightweight ASW torpedo
Place of origin	South Korea
Service history
Used by	See Operators
Production history
Designer	Agency for Defense Development
Designed	1995
Manufacturer	LIG Nex1
Produced	2005–present
Specifications
Mass	280 kg
Length	2.7 m
Width	0.32 m
Operational range	19 km
Maximum speed	45+ knots (83+ km/h)
Guidance system	Acoustic
Launch platform	Vessel / aircraft / helicopter

Development

AW159 Wildcat helicopter of the Philippine Navy armed with K745 Blue Shark torpedoes taken at the Philippine Fleet Defense Expo (PFDX) 2023

The Blue Shark torpedo can be deployed from surface ships, ASW helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft. Production cost for each torpedo is at about ₩ 1,000,000,000.^[2]

Blue Shark torpedoes are fitted to the Incheon class frigate (FFX).^[3] It is exported to the Philippines as part of the acquisition process for the Jose Rizal-class Frigates.^[4]

Variants

An improved variant, the lightweight torpedo-2 is being developed by LIG Nex1. New capabilities include longer range and lesser vulnerability to decoys.^[5] The research and development program is expected to be complete in 2029.^[6]

Operators

• Philippines: Philippine Navy^[7]
• South Korea: Republic of Korea Navy

See also

• K731 White Shark
• K745A1 Red Shark
• K761 Tiger Shark

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

• APR-3E torpedo - Russian equivalent
• Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo - US Navy's equivalent
• A244-S - Italian equivalent
• MU90 Impact - French/Italian equivalent
• Sting Ray (torpedo) - British equivalent
• TAL Shyena - Indian equivalent
• Yu-7 torpedo - Chinese equivalent
• Type 97 light weight torpedo (G-RX4) - Japanese equivalent