IRGC Claims "100 m/s" Underwater Missile Capability | DISCUSS

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), General Ali Fadavi, announced that Iran is prepared to deploy a new generation of underwater missiles capable of reaching speeds of 100 meters per second (approx. 360 km/h or 223 mph).

The claim, made during a broadcast on Iranian state television (IRIB), suggests Tehran is moving toward asymmetric maritime warfare as its conventional naval surface fleet has been severely degraded by recent U.S. and Israeli strikes.

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The "Supercavitating" Technology Claim

General Fadavi asserted that Iran is one of only two nations—the other being Russia—possessing this specific high-speed underwater technology:

Speed Comparison: Standard modern torpedoes typically travel at speeds between 25 and 50 knots (approx. 13–25 m/s). A speed of 100 m/s indicates the use of supercavitation, a process where a bubble of gas is created around the projectile to reduce water friction.

The "Hoot" Precedent: Iran has previously claimed to possess the Hoot torpedo, widely believed to be a reverse-engineered version of the Russian VA-111 Shkval. Fadavi’s latest remarks suggest a "new type" of this weapon is now ready for deployment in retaliatory operations.

Strategic Intent: The IRGC indicated these missiles are specifically designed for launch from underwater tunnels and small, stealthy fast-attack craft to bypass the sophisticated sonar and hull-defense systems of U.S. carrier strike groups currently in the North Arabian Sea.

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Context: A Decimated Iranian Navy

The announcement comes as independent data shows a "terminal" decline in Iran's conventional military capacity:

Naval Losses: As of March 11, over 50 Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed or damaged, including the sinking of the IRIS Jamaran and the IRIS Dena.

The Dena Sinking: On March 4, the IRIS Dena became the first ship sunk by a U.S. submarine in active combat since WWII, an event that has reportedly pushed the IRGC to pivot toward "quiet death" underwater weaponry.

Launch Rate Collapse: Iran's overall missile launch rate has reportedly collapsed by 92% since the start of "Operation Epic Fury" on February 28, falling from 480 launches on day one to just 40 by March 9.

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U.S. and Allied Readiness

In response to the "underwater tunnel" and high-speed torpedo threats, the U.S. Navy has intensified its Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations:

Mine-Laying Deterrence: President Trump issued a final warning on March 10, stating that any attempt to mine the Strait of Hormuz or use "new" underwater weapons to block trade will result in strikes "twenty times harder" than those already witnessed.

GPS Jamming: AIS and GPS interference in the Gulf of Oman has surged by 55% this week as both sides attempt to blind the guidance systems of high-speed projectiles.