Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirms first American submarine torpedo strike against enemy vessel since world war two

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirms the first U.S. submarine torpedo strike since WWII, sinking an Iranian frigate and resulting in 87 casualties.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 5:34 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Fortune

Historic Naval Engagement in South Asian Waters

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on March 2, 2026, that a U.S. submarine successfully engaged and destroyed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena. The incident occurred on Wednesday off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, leading to the deaths of 87 people on board the Iranian vessel. This strike represents the first instance since the 1940s that a United States submarine has launched a torpedo in active combat to destroy an enemy ship. Hegseth characterized the lethal efficiency of the underwater attack as a quiet death during a press conference held at the Pentagon.

Technical Evolution of the Modern Torpedo

While the fundamental concept of the torpedo as an unmanned submersible remains consistent with historical designs, modern iterations have been significantly updated for dual purpose utility. These weapons are now engineered to target both surface ships and submarines with high precision. During the initial launch phase, the torpedo remains physically connected to the submarine via a fiber optic cable or wire to receive targeting data. Once the weapon nears its objective, the wire is severed, and the torpedo activates its internal sonar to home in on the target.

Strategic Advantages of Submerged Weaponry

Submarines utilize torpedoes as their primary armament because they allow for offensive operations while remaining entirely submerged. Unlike air missiles, which require a submarine to approach the surface and risk detection by radar, torpedoes maintain the stealth profile of the vessel. Attack submarines are specifically designed to hunt warships and commercial vessels using these tactics. Even ballistic and guided missile submarines, which typically focus on long range strikes, carry torpedoes as a critical means of self defense against immediate naval threats.