Iranian Navy | News and Discussions

Does anyone have any news on what happened to the

Zulfighar class air-defence boat?​


It was an exciting unveiling. Navab SAM on a small fast boat that would be game changer in defending skies of Persian Gulf for other Iranian FAC and ships. No word about it since the unveiling in 2023.
 
Did all three kilos submarines ever go into a modernation/upgrade? I know Iran was doing some of its own work on them, but it would be a valuable project to get the Russian's assistance in upgrading them. They are our best submarines.

Russia said if Iran wanted to upgrade them then they need to come to Russian shipyard. Iran didn’t trust to hand it over to Russia and thought Russia would never give them back. So they were modernized in Iran.
 
Russia said if Iran wanted to upgrade them then they need to come to Russian shipyard. Iran didn’t trust to hand it over to Russia and thought Russia would never give them back. So they were modernized in Iran.
And thank god they weren't sent to Russia because they would've NEVER given them back and invent an excuse such as "it will take additional time to upgrade them" eternally, humiliating Iran in the process
 
Russia said if Iran wanted to upgrade them then they need to come to Russian shipyard. Iran didn’t trust to hand it over to Russia and thought Russia would never give them back. So they were modernized in Iran.
A SSK after 30 years have little military value... the hull integrity it is compromissed. Remember San Juan SSK of ARA.
Iran must bet for 3 Fateh and some Besats if we are all still alive.
 
A SSK after 30 years have little military value... the hull integrity it is compromissed. Remember San Juan SSK of ARA.
Iran must bet for 3 Fateh and some Besats if we are all still alive.

Hull integrity isn’t compromised just because SSK hits an arbitrary age. As long as overhauls and Maintenance are conducted at scheduled times (and properly), then it can continue functioning normally. San Juan was not properly maintained or properly overhauled so that was its problem.

Lastly as a sub gets older the dive depth is reduced to take the hull into account. Not that Russian Kilo submarines dive deep like nuclear submarines, there dive depth is on the safe side, but Iranian navy will likely reduce it as the sub nears the end of its lifetime. Which I imagine would by 2035 maybe slightly earlier.
 
San Juan was not properly maintained or properly overhauled so that was its problem.
One thing depend on the other... the many cycles you use your submarine the most demanding maintenance.

Spanish Navy had to decomission 3 of 4 S70 (Agosta class) because the issues in maintenance of them and we have been producing under license SSKs for more than 100 years (american S class). Last year we started with a S80 and this year another S80 will start sea trials.

Believe me, Kilo class are a one way street. The best IRI can do it is replace them before any piece fails. By passing the time that risk multiply and the risk exponentially spread.
 
Fateh production is alarmingly slow which is mind boggling. Iranian shipyards churned out Ghadir like bugs and Fateh is just enlarged Ghadir as per HI Sutton. When it came out people were assuming it was going to be a smaller Kilo class but its rather a larger version of Ghadir. What is stopping Iranian shipyards to produce Fateh at same pace as they produced Ghadirs before and still are (4 Ghadirs are being constructed right now) is a mystery. Are they being fitted with AIP so that is the reason or what? Another thing is why IRIN just ordered 4 of them while the actual need is atleast 8.
 
and here is a first satellite image of Sahand 74 with the modifications made during repairs
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I tried to imagine how it might look when the work is completed without modifications to the forward weapons systems
Screenshot (207-3).png
 
IRGC is building a new catamaran that is larger than Shahid Soleimani class

On April 22, 2025, Arma and Iranian Military Magazine reported the ongoing construction of a new large catamaran warship at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy’s facilities in Bandar Bahonar, southern Iran. This vessel, reportedly larger and more heavily armed than the existing Shahid Soleimani-class corvettes, marks a notable development in the maritime capabilities of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N). Although its final mission profile has not yet been officially detailed, the ship’s size and shape suggest extended operational range and increased payload capacity compared to previously built IRGC vessels.

With dimensions of 77 meters in length and 24 to 27 meters in width, it exceeds those of the current Shahid Soleimani-class (65 meters long, 14.5 meters wide) and is designed with a catamaran hull configuration.

Screenshot 2025-04-23 at 23.37.43.png

 
and here is a first satellite image of Sahand 74 with the modifications made during repairs
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I tried to imagine how it might look when the work is completed without modifications to the forward weapons systems
View attachment 113890

Finally seems that they lowered the gravity point. It´s look good, but again, the small hull doesn´t allow to fit larger systems like meaningful VLS and of course no TG + gear, which is vital for more electrical power. Anyway this family of vessels (IMO it is not a homogeneous class) have teach IRI naval industry and educated some naval officers that are much more important than any ship.

With dimensions of 77 meters in length and 24 to 27 meters in width, it exceeds those of the current Shahid Soleimani-class (65 meters long, 14.5 meters wide) and is designed with a catamaran hull configuration.
Seems to be a transport catamaran like those of australian INCAT. There is no evidence of missile launchers, VLS open or even helipad. The large beam is suggesting a big space for ro-ro load-unload profile. Anyway those ships can reach near to 50 knots.
 
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in one year North Korea built a 5000 ton destroyer

while Iran managed to build 4-5 1500 ton frigates after 20 years (with no VLS and virtually no radars)
 
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in one year North Korea built a 5000 ton destroyer

while Iran managed to build 4-5 1500 ton frigates after 20 years (with no VLS and virtually no radars)

Well to be fair I’m pretty sure the option of not completing projects quickly means death
 
in one year North Korea built a 5000 ton destroyer

while Iran managed to build 4-5 1500 ton frigates after 20 years (with no VLS and virtually no radars)
I'm sure someone will come along and say that they got Russian or Chinese help as an excuse, as if that is something that detracts from this. I only wish Iran's leadership was wise enough to obtain foreign help in areas where it is failing to produce domestic alternatives. A bet a decade from now IRIN will still be trying to mount increasing amounts of equipment on Mowj hulls and IRIAF will still be showing off that Kowsar assembly line.
 

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