Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DSEI Japan 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»Mystery Warship Seen In Iran May Be A Completely New Type
New unidentified warship seen in Iran
The new vessel, suspected to belong to the Iranian Navy, may be a Surface Effect Ship (SES).

Mystery Warship Seen In Iran May Be A Completely New Type

New intelligence suggests that Iran has a locally built warship which has not been publicly revealed. H I Sutton has the story.

H I Sutton 06 Jan 2021

New Iranian craft may be based on North Korean SES design.

We do not know its name or designation. This is unusual because Iran’s Navy takes great pride in its ability to build ships and submarines. Programs are vaunted in the press as achievements of self sufficiency.

It has been observed at the Shahid Darvishi yard near Bandar Abbas where some of Iran’s higher profile warships are built. These include a massive IRINS Makran forward base ship, the Fateh Class submarine and the latest Mowj class frigates. So why so quiet?

The new craft appears to be a catamaran, meaning that it has two hulls side by side. But its proportions also suggests that it may be a Surface Effect Ship (SES). This would be completely new territory for Iranian ship builders and may point to a new class of missile boat.

Catamarans themselves are not new in Iran. The IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) already operates a catamaran warship, the IRIS Shaheed Nazeri. Despite getting publicity for her distinctive appearance, her service status is unclear. Currently she is back at the builders. With its long slender catamaran hulls it is completely different from this new vessel however. The two vessels do not appear at all related, even being built at different shipyards. And it is unclear whether this new vessel will be for the IRGC or the Iranian Navy.

Surface effect ships combine the features of a catamaran and a hovercraft. Essentially they are a catamaran hull with a skirt at the front and rear. They can use both air cushion and conventional (screw or waterjet) propulsion, and some have hydrofoils. This allows for high performance and makes a stable firing platform.

The Royal Norwegian Navy Skjold-class fast patrol boat is a leading example of SES technology. North Korea also uses this type of hull. Photo: US Navy

The prototypical SES warship is the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Skjold class. These large patrol craft have stealthy lines and are armed with a 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid cannon and eight NSM anti-ship missiles.

It seems unlikely that the Skjold class is the main inspiration however. Iran’s defense partner North Korea North Korea has been developing SES for around 20 years. They have built a number of designs, mostly as missile boats. Many feature apparently stealth-influenced sloping hulls and superstructures. The Iranian craft appears more like earlier North Korean variants however, with less stealthy lines.

Press photo of a North Korean SES, seen firing a Kumsong-3 (variant of Russian Kh-35) anti-ship missile.

It is still early in the life of this new vessel. But given the Iranian regimes eagerness to report new projects we may be treated to an unveiling soon. That would an answer many current questions, not least the degree of North Korean influence. And also whether the new vessel will be a missile boat, which seems most likely. For the moment, patience is needed.

Iran Iranian Navy Navy 2021-01-06
Tags Iran Iranian Navy Navy
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Authors

Posted by : H I Sutton
H I Sutton writes about the secretive and under-reported submarines, seeking out unusual and interesting vessels and technologies involved in fighting beneath the waves. Submarines, capabilities, naval special forces underwater vehicles and the changing world of underwater warfare and seabed warfare. To do this he combines the latest Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) with the traditional art and science of defense analysis. He occasionally writes non-fiction books on these topics and draws analysis-based illustrations to bring the subject to life. In addition, H I Sutton is a naval history buff and data geek. His personal website about these topics is Covert Shores (www.hisutton.com)

Related Articles

U.S. Navy Foils Iranian Attempt to Capture Saildrone USV

U.S. Navy Foils Iranian Attempt to Capture Saildrone USV

Naval News Staff 30 Aug 2022
The U.S. Navy prevented a support ship from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) from capturing an unmanned surface vessel operated by the U.S. 5th Fleet in the Arabian Gulf, Aug. 29-30.
Iran Boosts IRCG Navy’s Swarm Attack Capabilities

Iran Boosts IRCG Navy’s Swarm Attack Capabilities

Tayfun Ozberk 14 Dec 2021
According to the Iranian news outlet IRIB News, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy received 110 indigenously made combat speedboats on December 11 during a ceremony in Bandar Abbas.
Iranian Navy Commissions A New Minesweeper And A Light Frigate

Iranian Navy Commissions A New Minesweeper And A Light Frigate

Martin Manaranche 16 Jun 2021
The light frigate Dena (hull number 75) and minesweeper Shahin (hull number M111) were commissioned at a ceremony at the main Iranian naval base in Bandar Abbas port, located in the Strait of Hormuz.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok