Munitions

53-65M torpedo

Also known as
  • 53-65M
  • Type 53-65
  • Type 53-65M
  • Izdeliye 266
  • 53-65M wake-homing torpedo

The 53-65M torpedo is a Soviet 533 mm heavyweight anti-ship torpedo in the Type 53-65 wake-homing family. Developed by NII-400 Morteplotekhnika as an improved hydrogen-peroxide-powered model, it paired active acoustic wake homing with a 307 kg high-explosive warhead and documented low-speed range of 22-24 km.

53-65M torpedo, 533 mm submarine torpedo, Munitions
Image source: 53-65K torpedo MW - Wikimedia Commons
Profile / Specs

Specifications

Caliber
533 mm
Length
7.95 m
Weight
2,100 kg
Warhead
307 kg high explosive
Fuse
Magnetic proximity fuse
Guidance
Active acoustic wake homing
Propulsion
Kerosene-hydrogen peroxide turbine; twin contra-rotating propellers
Speed
44 knots low setting; 70 knots high setting
Range
22-24 km at 44 knots; 14 km at 70 knots
Launch depth
Up to 100 m
Target type
Surface vessels
Variants

The 53-65M sits inside the Type 53-65 heavyweight wake-homing torpedo family, with fuel-system and target-input differences separating the main designations.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Type 53-65AProject 705 target-input variant

Weaponsystems.net identifies the 53-65A, also known as SST-2 or Izdeliye 234, as a 53-65M derivative with automated target input for Project 705 Lira submarines.

Sources: Type 53-65 - Weaponsystems.net

53-65K torpedo, 533 mm wake-homing anti-ship torpedo, Munitions53-65K torpedoOxygen-fueled production variant

The 53-65K replaced the hydrogen-peroxide fuel system with kerosene-oxygen propulsion and became the more common production model.

Sources: Type 53-65 - Weaponsystems.net

Firing Platforms

The 53-65M appears in submarine torpedo fits; this section links cataloged platforms where the source identifies the torpedo by variant.

Firing weaponWeapon typeFiring evidence
Delta III-class submarine, Ballistic missile submarine, Naval SystemsDelta III-class submarineBallistic missile submarine

The class source lists the 53-65M among the torpedoes carried in its four 533 mm tubes.

Sources: Delta III-class submarine - Naval Encyclopedia

Wake-Homing Design

The 53-65M was built around anti-surface wake homing rather than wire guidance. Once fired, the torpedo searched for the target's wake and ran independently, which made the launch submarine less dependent on maintaining a guidance link.

FeatureDocumented detail
GuidanceActive acoustic wake homing for surface-vessel targets.
PropulsionKerosene-hydrogen peroxide turbine, a high-performance but more difficult fuel system than the oxygen-fueled 53-65K.
Warhead307 kg high-explosive warhead with magnetic proximity fuzing.
Launch profileShallow running depths and launch depth up to 100 m for the 53-65M.

The design makes launch-platform context central: the torpedo was a carried anti-ship munition whose combat value depended on compatible tubes and target-setting inputs.

Timeline

53-65M torpedo Key Events

  1. Type 53-65 family enters service

    The first Type 53-65 model entered service in 1965, before the M and K variants followed.

    Sources: Type 53-65 - Weaponsystems.net, Post-World War II Torpedoes of Russia/USSR - NavWeaps

  2. 53-65M introduced

    Weaponsystems.net and NavWeaps both list the 53-65M as entering service in 1969.

    Sources: Type 53-65 - Weaponsystems.net, Post-World War II Torpedoes of Russia/USSR - NavWeaps

Media

53-65M torpedo Images

53-65M torpedo, 533 mm submarine torpedo, Munitions - view 1
Source: 53-65K torpedo at Park Patriot - Wikimedia Commons
Related Weapon Systems
100 mm KSM-65 coastal defense gun, Towed 100 mm coastal-defense gun, ArtilleryArtillery100 mm KSM-65 coastal defense gunTowed 100 mm coastal-defense gunThe KSM-65 was a Soviet 100 mm coastal-defense gun that adapted the KS-19 anti-aircraft gun family to a KMU-65 coastal platform, off-mount battery fire control, and high-rate fire against surface targets. Developed at Plant No. 8 under L. V. Lyulyev after the Soviet Navy moved away from the earlier S-65 project, it remained a small 116-gun Cold War system with documented Soviet inventory into the 1980s but no direct conflict-use sourcing strong enough for a normal conflict entry.
MK 54 lightweight torpedo, Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo, MunitionsMunitionsMK 54 lightweight torpedoLightweight anti-submarine torpedoThe MK 54 lightweight torpedo is a U.S. Navy anti-submarine torpedo carried by surface ships, MH-60R helicopters, P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, and VL-ASROC delivery rockets. Official Navy, RTX, NAVAIR, Boeing, and DOT&E sources describe a hybrid MK 46/MK 50 lineage, Mod 1 sonar and processing upgrades, the P-8A HAAWC air-launch accessory path, and a Mod 2 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo modernization still tracked publicly as a development program rather than a conflict-use record.

Sources

Type 53-65 - Weaponsystems.netPublisher: Weaponsystems.net | Note: Supports Type 53-65 family background, NII-400 Morteplotekhnika manufacturer context, Izdeliye 266 alias, variant distinctions, wake-homing design, propulsion, target type, 1969 53-65M introduction, and 53-65M technical characteristics. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Post-World War II Torpedoes of Russia/USSR - NavWeapsPublisher: NavWeaps | Note: Supports independent reference context for the 53-65, 53-65K, and 53-65M family, including submarine use, 1969 53-65M service date, approximate size, warhead, range/speed, and kerosene-hydrogen peroxide propulsion. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Charlie class submarines - Naval EncyclopediaPublisher: Naval Encyclopedia | Note: Supports the 53-65M torpedo's development background, wake-homing role, and 1969 introduction under the Charlie class torpedo armament section. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Delta III-class submarine - Naval EncyclopediaPublisher: Naval Encyclopedia | Note: Supports the Delta III class torpedo fit and the listing of 53-65M among torpedoes carried in its four 533 mm tubes. | Accessed: 2026-06-2953-65K torpedo MW - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the torpedo photo used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-2953-65K torpedo at Park Patriot - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance and licensing context for the second torpedo image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29