OVERVIEW: The SET-72 is a heavyweight, electrically propelled, universal-launch anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Soviet Union. It uses active/passive acoustic homing and is compatible with both surface ship and submarine 533 mm torpedo tubes.

DETAILS: "SET" stands for "Samonavodyashchayasya Elektrotorpeda" (self-guided electric torpedo), and "72" refers to its year of design. The SET-72 was introduced as a standardized replacement for multiple earlier Soviet ASW torpedoes, capable of launch from ships and submarines without modification. It uses a silver-zinc battery and features a modernized acoustic seeker for better target detection, tracking, and resistance to countermeasures in noisy or layered environments. The torpedo is 533 mm in diameter and includes updated electronics and propulsion efficiency over the SET-65 series.

Designated by NATO as E40-75A, the SET-72 provided improved performance in range, speed, and accuracy, and was used widely across Soviet fleets. Its universal compatibility made it logistically efficient and suitable for rapid deployment across multiple platform types.

TYPE: Heavyweight Anti-Submarine Guided Torpedo

FUNCTION: The SET-72 is launched from 533 mm torpedo tubes aboard submarines or surface warships. Once in the water, it activates its active/passive acoustic seeker to locate, track, and home in on enemy submarines in both deep-sea and littoral environments.

NOTE:
IOC: 1973 (SET-72)
Manufacturer: Soviet Union (Gidropribor, Russia)
Operators: Soviet Union, India, Vietnam
Platforms: Kilo-class submarine, Udaloy-class destroyer
Conflict used in: None confirmed

SOURCE:
Jane’s Naval Weapon Systems ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/index.html ; GlobalSecurity.org: https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/set-72.htm ; Military-Today: https://www.military-today.com/navy/set_72.htm ; Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SET-72_torpedo