A Shift to Hard-Kill Torpedo Defense
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has reportedly integrated a “hard-kill” torpedo defense system onto its latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian. Cited by the South China Morning Post and state-affiliated publication Fangwu Gonglun, the configuration features 6-cell, 324mm torpedo launchers tucked beneath the flight deck. This marks a distinct departure from the “soft-kill” acoustic decoys that defined the defensive suites of the Liaoning and Shandong.
Intercepting Threats Beneath the Surface
Traditional naval defense relies on luring incoming weapons away from the hull. The Fujian’s reported system instead aims to physically intercept and destroy the threat. Military analysts identify these launchers as an Anti-Torpedo Torpedo (ATT) system, designed to counter high-speed, heavy-weight weapons like the U.S. Navy’s Mk 48.
According to Chinese state media, the interceptors use rocket propulsion for an initial burst, followed by a pump-jet drive. These projectiles are reportedly capable of reaching speeds of 50 to 60 knots within three seconds of launch.
The Physics of Underwater Combat
Western naval experts remain skeptical of the system’s battlefield efficacy. The underwater environment is notoriously unforgiving; sensors must contend with extreme acoustic distortion and thermal layers—variations in water temperature that disrupt sonar performance. Furthermore, a large aircraft carrier generates substantial self-noise, which often degrades the performance of its own defensive sonar arrays.
The U.S. Navy previously explored similar Anti-Torpedo Torpedo Defense Systems (ATTDS) but abandoned the concept due to high costs and reliability concerns. Today, the U.S. and NATO prioritize advanced soft-kill suites and high-speed evasive maneuvering, while developing the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon (CRAW) for future integration.
Testing the Fujian’s Capabilities
Commissioned in late 2025, the Fujian is China’s first carrier to feature an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). The vessel measures 316 meters in length with a displacement exceeding 80,000 tons and is currently undergoing testing near the Sanya naval base on Hainan Island.
Regional Navies Evaluate Defensive Architecture
The move toward hard-kill systems is rippling through regional naval strategy. The Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy currently relies on the Torpedo Acoustic Countermeasure (TACM) system, a soft-kill approach. As modern torpedoes incorporate increasingly sophisticated algorithms designed to bypass traditional decoys, military planners are evaluating whether to pivot toward integrated hard-kill and soft-kill defensive architectures to maintain a credible deterrent against modern undersea threats.
Keep reading