OVERVIEW: The RBU-2500 is an unguided, short-range, surface-launched anti-submarine rocket system designed to fire salvos of 213 mm depth-fuzed rockets. It provides rapid close-range defense against submarines and underwater threats in coastal and escort operations.

DETAILS: Developed by the Soviet Union in the late 1960s, the RBU-2500 is a 16-tube launcher that fires RGB-25 rockets armed with high-explosive warheads and equipped with contact or time fuzes for underwater detonation. The rockets have an effective range of up to 2,500 meters and are launched in ripple or pattern salvos to increase hit probability. The system is integrated with sonar fire-control systems such as Burya or more modern equivalents for real-time targeting. Reloading is performed from below-deck storage via automated or semi-automated mechanisms.

Compared to earlier RBU models, the RBU-2500 provides increased coverage, reload capability, and a tighter pattern spread. It is optimized for installation on smaller to medium-displacement vessels requiring a compact ASW system.

The system is aimed and fired through onboard fire-control interfaces based on sonar-acquired data, with pre-set parameters for range and depth. It is used to create a saturation zone around detected targets, neutralizing submarines and diver threats at short standoff distances.

NOTE:
IOC: Late 1960s
Operators: Russia, India, Vietnam, Syria, Algeria, Romania, Poland
Platforms: Kotlin-class (Project 56), Petya-class (Project 159), Kashin-class (Project 61), T58-class (Project 254A), Admiral Petre Bărbuneanu-class corvettes
Conflict used in: Cold War maritime patrols and exercises (no confirmed combat use)

SOURCE:
Jane’s Underwater Warfare Systems ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org ; Russian Navy Doctrine Publications ; GlobalSecurity.org: https://www.globalsecurity.org ; Naval Technology Archives ; Romanian Navy Official Site: https://www.navy.ro