Italian 'Black Shark' surfaces as top torpedo contender

The Italian 'Black Shark' torpedo, which courted controversy over a decade ago after allegations of irregularities, has emerged as the top contender for an Indian Navy requirement of heavy weight torpedoes after its German competitor dropped out of the race.

Sources told ET that Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has dropped out of the competition to supply 48 heavyweight torpedoes to the Indian Navy for its Kalvari class submarines. This leaves only France's Naval Group in the competition, but its offer could be more expensive than the Italian option.

The Black Shark has a controversial past-it was the frontrunner for a requirement of 98 torpedoes in 2008-09. However, the project was dropped in 2013 and the case was referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the ministry of defence. The Italian torpedo was last tested by India in 2009 and the current competition does not mandate fresh trials.


The Black Shark torpedo belonged to a Finmeccanica company (now called Leonardo), which was being investigated for corruption in the AgustaWestland chopper scandal. The Italian company was on an official blacklist that was lifted in 2021 and is now trying to re-enter the Indian market.

However, the torpedo business has recently been acquired by another Italian company, Fincantieri, which has had a long presence in India. The company has also supplied two fleet tankers to the Indian Navy in the past.