UNCLASSIFIED thermal periscope footage shows a warship burning at sea
In the opening days of Operation Epic Fury, the world witnessed an unprecedented display of American military dominance. From the immediate establishment of air superiority to the surgical removal of high level Iranian leadership including two different Ayatollahs in a little over five days the pace of the conflict has been staggering.
However it is the footage of the sinking of the IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka that has the internet truly captivated. The Pentagon recently released the video and the strike looks more like a Hollywood blockbuster than a standard military record. The IRIS Dena was reportedly “returning” from a joint naval exercise with China and Russia in the Bay of Bengal when it was intercepted and destroyed.
The Silent Service Steps into the Light
For decades the public has viewed the American submarine fleet primarily as a nuclear deterrent or a platform for Tomahawk missile strikes. We often forget their original purpose: finding, stalking, and sinking enemy vessels while submerged. This engagement marks the first time in generations that an American submarine has participated in open sea torpedo combat.
The IRIS Dena, a Moudge class frigate, represents the pride of the Iranian Navy. Its sudden disappearance from the surface serves as a stark reminder of the lethal efficiency of the U.S. Navy’s fast attack submarines.
A Rare Century for Submarine Kills
To put this event into perspective you have to look at how rarely submarines have actually engaged surface targets since 1945. Before this week only two documented instances of a submarine sinking a surface vessel occurred in the last forty years:
- March 26, 2010: A North Korean Yono class midget submarine sank the South Korean corvette ROKS Cheonan with a single torpedo in the Yellow Sea.
- May 2, 1982: During the Falklands War the British nuclear powered submarine HMS Conqueror sank the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano.
Until this week the sinking of the Belgrano remained the only time a nuclear powered submarine had ever sunk an enemy ship in war.
The Return of the American Torpedo
The sinking of the IRIS Dena is a historic milestone for the United States Navy. It marks the first time an American submarine has sunk an enemy vessel with a torpedo since World War II.
The last time the U.S. Submarine Force recorded a kill with a torpedo was in 1945 during the closing months of the Pacific War. Famous vessels like the USS Batfish (SS-310) and the USS Tautog defined that era by stalking Japanese shipping and warships across the Pacific. For over eighty years those kills remained confined to history books and museum displays. That streak ended yesterday in the Indian Ocean.
Author and Sources:
SHR Media Staff
The SHR Media Staff is a dedicated team of journalists and creators providing primary source reporting and constitutional perspective on today’s top stories. Our mission is to deliver straight news and insightful commentary across the SHR Media Network.
Research and Primary Sources
Strategic Analysis and Background:
- Iranian Naval Exercises: TWZ Analysis of Joint Exercises
- Vessel Data: IRIS Dena Technical Specifications
- Official Release: Department of War Strike Footage
Operation Epic Fury Updates:
- War Powers and Strike Updates: SHR Media Strategic Coverage
- Post-Strike Mission Breakdown: Khomeini Mission Review
About the Author
