Germany and the Netherlands have been developing a hard-kill torpedo countermeasure, SeaSpider, for over a decade, but implementation is still years away. SeaSpider aims to intercept torpedoes fired at surface vessels for head-on intercepts. Despite marketing efforts by manufacturer Atlas Elektronik, no navy has adopted the system yet.
The technology remains classified, preventing detailed disclosure from companies and government officials, including the German Ministry of Defense. Intercepting torpedoes with torpedoes is seen as a critical force-protection technology. Historically, torpedoes have been a major threat to surface vessels, with traditional defense measures proving ineffective.
SeaSpider can intercept all types of torpedoes, combining data from sensors to calculate collision paths. The European Union-led Anti-torpedo Torpedo (ATT) program aims to develop SeaSpider further. Dutch officials plan to establish a formal program for SeaSpider, projected for 2025 with potential budgets ranging from €250 million to €1 billion.
However, concerns exist about the depth of the envisioned intercept sequence with the current SeaSpider system. German officials expect a production-ready system to be developed by the PESCO program by the end of the decade. Other European nations like Sweden, Poland, Portugal, Italy, and Spain have also shown interest in the technology.
