Munitions

TE-2 torpedo

Also known as
  • TE-2
  • TE-2-01
  • TE-2-02
  • TE-2-04
  • TE-2 universal electric torpedo
  • TE-2 remote-control homing torpedo
  • TE-2 practical torpedo
  • ТЭ-2
  • ТЭ-2-01
  • ТЭ-2-02
  • ТЭ-2-04

The TE-2 is a Russian 533 mm-class universal electric remote-control homing torpedo developed by Gidropribor for submarine and surface-ship launch. Public Rosoboronexport, Gidropribor, and specialist material describes live and practical variants, mechanical and electrical firing-data-input subvariants, and export use with Project 636-family submarines and Gepard 3.9 frigates, but no directly sourced conflict employment is public.

TE-2 torpedo, 533 mm electric remote-control homing torpedo, Munitions
Image source: Army-2024 Gidropribor Developments
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Russia
Type
533 mm electric remote-control homing torpedo
Service note
Post-Soviet
Designer
JSC Concern Sea Underwater Weapon - Gidropribor

Specifications

Caliber
533 mm class; Rosoboronexport catalogue data lists 534.4 mm for TE-2-01
Guidance
Homing system with anti-submarine and anti-surface modes plus remote-control capability
Telecontrol wire
Gidropribor/TASS description gives a 5 km command coil plus 20 km in the torpedo
Power
Electric propulsion; Gidropribor/TASS describes lithium-ion battery use in the practical variant
Range
15 km first mode and 25 km second mode in Rosoboronexport catalogue data for TE-2-01; 25 km in Gidropribor/TASS practical-variant description
Speed
45±2 knots first mode and 32±3 knots second mode in Rosoboronexport catalogue data for TE-2-01; 32 knots in Gidropribor/TASS practical-variant description
Operating depth
Submarine targets from 20 m to 450 m in Rosoboronexport catalogue data; practical-variant public description says up to 450 m
Warhead
250 kg listed for TE-2-01 in Rosoboronexport catalogue data
Launch platforms
Submarines in autonomous or remote-control modes and surface ships in autonomous mode
Project 636 load
Rosoboronexport lists Project 636 with up to 18 TE-2 torpedoes and six 533 mm launch units
Variants

Public Russian sources describe TE-2 as a family of modifications distinguished mainly by carrier data-input method, combat/practical configuration, telecontrol fit, and later electronics updates.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
TE-2-01Mechanical firing-data-input variant

Gidropribor described TE-2-01 as the version for carriers with mechanical data input and the same characteristics as TE-2-02; its export-cooperation review identifies TE-2-01 deliveries for Project 636.1 submarines and surface-ship torpedo fits.

Sources: TASS Gidropribor Torpedo Interview, Gidropribor Export Cooperation Review

TE-2-02Electrical firing-data-input variant

TASS's Gidropribor interview describes TE-2-02 as the base family example with electric data input through an automatic waterproof disconnect connector.

Sources: TASS Gidropribor Torpedo Interview

TE-2-04Updated electronics modification

Gidropribor said the TE-2-04 shown at IMDS-2019 used multiprocessor analog-digital equipment intended to improve tactical and technical characteristics.

Sources: TASS Gidropribor Torpedo Interview

Practical TE-2Recoverable training configuration

Gidropribor's TASS repost describes a practical TE-2 with floats and a visible head section for recovery after training firings.

Sources: Gidropribor TE-2 Practical Variant

Launch Platforms

Open Gidropribor and export material ties TE-2 to 533 mm torpedo tubes on submarines and surface combatants rather than to a single dedicated launcher.

LauncherLauncher typeLaunch evidence
Project 636 / 636M / 636.3 Kilo-class submarine, Diesel-electric attack submarine, Naval SystemsProject 636 / 636M / 636.3 Kilo-class submarineDiesel-electric attack submarine

Gidropribor's export-cooperation review lists TE-2-01 for Vietnamese Project 636.1 submarines, while Rosoboronexport's Project 636 page lists TE-2 torpedoes in the submarine's weapons fit.

Sources: Gidropribor Export Cooperation Review, Rosoboronexport Project 636

Project 11661 Gepard-class frigate, Frigate class, Naval SystemsProject 11661 Gepard-class frigateFrigate class

Gidropribor's export-cooperation review lists TE-2-01 among the torpedo weapons associated with Vietnam's Gepard 3.9 Project 11661E frigates.

Sources: Gidropribor Export Cooperation Review

Timeline

TE-2 torpedo Key Events

  1. Vietnam Project 636.1 TE-2-01 deliveries begin

    Gidropribor's 2019 export-cooperation review lists 2013 and 2017 TE-2-01 deliveries for Vietnamese Project 636.1 diesel-electric submarines under a 2009 contract.

    Sources: Gidropribor Export Cooperation Review

  2. Vietnam surface-ship TE-2-01 contract listed

    The same Gidropribor review lists a 2015 TE-2-01 delivery package associated with surface combatants, alongside its table noting TE-2-01 on Vietnamese Gepard 3.9 frigates.

    Sources: Gidropribor Export Cooperation Review

  3. Offered in Rosoboronexport naval-underwater-weapons package

    Rostec reported that Rosoboronexport and Gidropribor were promoting naval underwater weapons for export, including the TE-2 universal electric remote-control homing torpedo.

    Sources: Rosoboronexport Naval Underwater Weapons

  4. Displayed at IMDS with practical training variant

    Gidropribor's press repost of TASS described a TE-2 practical torpedo on display at IMDS-2023 and gave public details on recovery floats, target modes, range, speed, and operating depth.

    Sources: Gidropribor TE-2 Practical Variant

  5. Shown in Gidropribor Army-2024 lineup

    Gidropribor listed TE-2 among its Army-2024 torpedo displays and described it as an electric remote-control homing torpedo for submarines, surface ships, and other targets.

    Sources: Army-2024 Gidropribor Developments

Related Weapon Systems
Project 636 / 636M / 636.3 Kilo-class submarine, Diesel-electric attack submarine, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsProject 636 / 636M / 636.3 Kilo-class submarineDiesel-electric attack submarineProject 636 is Russia's export-improved Kilo / Varshavyanka diesel-electric attack submarine line, derived from Project 877 and later split across export missile-capable variants and the Russian Navy Project 636.3 / 06363 Improved Kilo II branch. The family keeps six 533 mm bow tubes for torpedoes, mines, and tube-launched cruise missiles, while later 636.3 boats add Kalibr-PL strike capability and updated sensor, navigation, and combat-management equipment.
RBU-6000 Smerch-2 anti-submarine rocket launcher, Shipboard anti-submarine rocket launcher, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsRBU-6000 Smerch-2 anti-submarine rocket launcherShipboard anti-submarine rocket launcherThe RBU-6000 Smerch-2 is a Soviet-origin anti-submarine rocket-depth-charge system built around a remotely aimed 12-tube launcher, Burya fire-control input, RGB-60 rockets, and a below-deck 60UP feed arrangement. It was fitted to many Soviet-designed surface combatants for close-range undersea defense, and Russian forces later adapted launchers onto improvised ground vehicles during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
Type 022 / Houbei-class missile boat, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy catamaran missile boat class, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsType 022 / Houbei-class missile boatChinese People's Liberation Army Navy catamaran missile boat classThe Type 022 or Houbei-class is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy catamaran missile boat built around fast littoral anti-ship attack. Public references describe a wave-piercing, radar-signature-reduced hull carrying eight YJ-83 anti-ship missiles, a 30 mm H/PJ-13 or AK-630-derived gun, waterjet propulsion, and enough sensors for local engagements while relying on wider PLAN targeting networks for longer-range missile employment.

Sources

Rosoboronexport Naval Underwater WeaponsPublisher: Rostec | Note: Supports Gidropribor and Rosoboronexport promotion of the TE-2 universal electric remote-control homing torpedo and its stated submarine, surface-ship, and fixed-target mission set. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Gidropribor TE-2 Practical VariantPublisher: JSC Concern Sea Underwater Weapon - Gidropribor | Note: Supports TE-2 manufacturer context and public details for the practical variant, including recovery features, homing modes, lithium-ion battery, 25 km range, 32 knot speed, and 450 m operating depth. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Army-2024 Gidropribor DevelopmentsPublisher: JSC Concern Sea Underwater Weapon - Gidropribor | Note: Supports TE-2 as a Gidropribor electric remote-control homing torpedo displayed for Army-2024, gives public target-set context, and supports official image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Gidropribor 80 YearsPublisher: JSC Concern Sea Underwater Weapon - Gidropribor | Note: Supports TE-2 and UGST caliber context, submarine and surface-ship launch context, and Gidropribor's broader torpedo-development background. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Rosoboronexport Project 636Publisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Supports Project 636 submarine weapon-fit context for TE-2 torpedoes, including six 533 mm launch units, up to 18 TE-2 torpedoes, and the catalogue's listed TE-2 torpedo range in the Project 636 characteristics. | Accessed: 2026-07-13TASS Gidropribor Torpedo InterviewPublisher: TASS | Note: Supports TE-2 family framing, TE-2-01 mechanical data input, TE-2-02 electrical data input, TE-2-04 electronics update, optional telecontrol, and combat/practical configurations from a Gidropribor executive interview. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Rosoboronexport TE-2 CataloguePublisher: Rosoboronexport (mirrored by PDFCoffee) | Note: Supports TE-2 mission, submarine and surface-ship launch modes, TE-2-01 mechanical firing-data-input configuration, dimensions, speed/range modes, target-depth envelope, warhead weight, service life, and environmental limits from an export catalogue mirror. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Gidropribor Export Cooperation ReviewPublisher: JSC Concern Sea Underwater Weapon - Gidropribor | Note: Supports TE-2-01 export and platform context for Vietnam Project 636.1 submarines, Vietnam Gepard 3.9 frigates, and Algerian Project 636-family submarines; this is relationship/background evidence, not conflict-use evidence. | Accessed: 2026-07-13