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Ukraine Unleashes Tesla’s Weapon In The Black Sea
In a significant development in the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine has launched a new type of drone boat called Katran (also known as Katran VENOM) that can carry torpedoes. This move brings to life a vision first proposed by Nikola Tesla in 1898, when he showcased his own radio-controlled boat, stating “War will cease to be possible when all the world knows to-morrow that the most feeble of the nations can supply itself immediately with a weapon which will render its coast secure and its ports impregnable to the assaults of the united armadas of the world.”
While Tesla’s idea took longer to mature than he expected, Ukraine has now taken a significant step in fulfilling his dream. The Katran is an impressive vessel that boasts a range of 600 miles, speed of 80 mph, and can operate independently for extended periods. Its communication system utilizes secure satellite links, enabling it to remain silent on the radio.
The new drone boat is capable of destroying targets on land, sea, and air, making it a highly versatile platform. It carries electronic warfare systems, decoy flares, and smoke launchers, which can be used to neutralize Russian FPVs (Fixed-Wing Persistent Surveillance) previously employed against Ukraine’s own drone boats.
What sets Katran apart from other drone boats is its ability to carry torpedoes. The exact type of torpedo being used remains undisclosed, but previous reports have suggested that it may be the Swedish Torped 47 or SLWT guided torpedoes. These modern weapons have a range of over 20 km and are capable of targeting both submarines and surface ships.
The introduction of Katran into Ukraine’s arsenal poses significant challenges for Russian warships. No longer can they rely on simply sending out helicopters to destroy the drone boats at long distance, as some of these vessels may now be equipped with surface-to-air missiles, putting the helicopters in danger. Alternatively, Russian forces could choose to let the drone boats get closer before engaging them with machine guns or cannon fire, but this would leave their own ships vulnerable to surprise torpedo attacks.
The rapid development and deployment of Ukraine’s drone fleet has raised concerns about whether crewed warships will become obsolete in the near future. While eliminating war altogether may still be a distant goal, the proliferation of these types of vessels could lead to a significant shift in naval warfare strategies.
As Tesla himself once said, “I prefer to be remembered as the inventor who succeeded in abolishing war.” The introduction of Katran and other similar drone boats may not directly bring about world peace, but it does mark a significant step towards more asymmetric warfare capabilities for nations like Ukraine and Taiwan.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/03/26/ukraine-unleashes-teslas-weapon-in-the-black-sea/
