NAVY

NAVY SUMMARY           

STRENGTH 18,000 (38,000, including the IRGC naval branch) SUBMARINE 3 FRIGATE 3 CORVETTE 2 FAST ATTACK CRAFT - MISSILE 21

Assessment           

The navy is perhaps Iran's most important military service. The Persian Gulf must remain open for Iranian commerce since the Gulf is the primary route for all of Iran's oil exports and most of its trade. Consequently, Iran has given the modernization of its naval forces high priority. Since the end of the Iran-Iraq War, Iran has obtained new anti-ship missiles and missile patrol craft from China, midget submarines from North Korea, submarines from Russia, and modern mines, and enhanced its anti-ship missile capabilities. Iran has expanded the capabilities of the naval branch of the IRGC, acquired additional mine warfare capability, and upgraded some of its older surface ships.

Iran's exercises have included a growing number of joint and combined arms exercises with the land forces and air force. Iran has also improved its ports and strengthened its air defenses, while obtaining some logistic and technical support from states like India and Pakistan. However, its naval command structure lacks cohesion and co-ordination. Currently, nine different ministries deal with some aspect of sea power. In addition, the Iranian navies do not have fixed-wing combat aircraft, and the P-3 and C-130 reconnaissance aircraft were purchased in the 1970s. All the naval air assets suffer from parts shortages, worn avionics, and ineffective maintenance.

'Kilo' class submarines have been a key element of Iranian strategy in the country's post-Gulf War military strategy, and were seen as part of a major effort by Tehran to counter the growing US military presence in the region, prior to the March 2003 US invasion of Iraq. An Indo-Iranian agreement for overall Kilo repairs at the Indian Navy's submarine maintenance facility at Vishakhapatnam was also pending in mid-2004.

In June 1999, a senior US naval officer estimated that by 2005 Iran would be in a position to deny US naval forces access to the Persian Gulf. Rear Admiral Malcolm Fages, director of submarine warfare, said the navy expected that by that time Iran will have deployed an integrated network of anti shipping cruise missiles, mines, and diesel submarines that could complicate free US access to the critical oil producing region. Critical to control of the Strait of Hormuz are Iran's mining capabilities. The Iranian Navy is understood to have large quantities of 'smart' mines, perhaps 3,000 of them, which are non-magnetic and other Chinese types - such as the EM-52 rocket-propelled mine - that lie on the sea-bed until activated, whereupon they rocket to the target on the surface. Such mines are thought be very difficult to detect and accordingly represent a potent threat. Iran has also procured wake-homing and wire-guided torpedoes from Russia.

Responding to increased US regional pressure and the threat of pre-emptive attacks to its nuclear facilities, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Abbas Mohtaj, speaking in Bushehr in late September 2004, said that the Iranian Navy is in full readiness to defend the country's maritime borders. He identified the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz as sensitive and strategic areas for Iran. He noted that naval forces of the IRGC and the regular armed forces have established a powerful marine force to guard the country's water borders, especially in and around Bushehr, deploying the recently articulated doctrine of "asymmetric" tactics. As to the Iranian Navy's self-sufficiency in armaments and equipment, Rear Admiral Mohtaj said all its needs are met from sources inside the country. For example, Mohtaj said that Iran now manufactures a domestically-designed "missile boat" (navche-yi mushak-andaz) that allegedly outperforms a French counterpart, makes its own submarine batteries, and builds midget submarines.

Rear Admiral Abbas Mohtaj said that the level of co-ordination between the regular Navy and the IRGC naval assets are well-established, and that the IRGC's Navy is more active in respect of fast boats and the regular Navy leads sub-surface warfare efforts.

Referring to some of the main activities of the Navy, Mohtaj said that they included: construction and commissioning of more frigates (Tondar and Azarakhsh); building a Mowj class destroyer in the south of the country; building two midget submarines, one of which has been commissioned and the other two as published are being built; manufacturing of mechanical and electronic parts in workshops in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr; equipping naval yards to carry out important repair and maintenance work on submarines; changing and modifying the missile system of destroyers; starting the construction of another Mowj class destroyer; deploying indigenously-developed UAVs; building two tugs in the north of the country; receiving two fast attack catamarans (from Russia); putting into operation seabed sonar’s in the south of Iran; and increasing the diving capabilities of Navy frogmen up to 100 meters.

Efforts to modernize           

While the bulk of the Iranian Navy's main fleet remains somewhat old and outdated, its purchases from Russia and China have done much to breathe new life into it. In the mid-1990s, there was a qualitative change in overall naval defense and projection capabilities, most notably with the acquisition of Russian 'Kilo' class diesel-electric submarines. Regarding anti-ship capabilities, around 1995, Iran took delivery of Chinese-supplied C-801/802 ASCMs. Unlike the HY (or "Silkworm") series, the C series is turbo-jet powered, albeit with modest ranges of about 120 km (C-802) and 40 km (C-801). The C series missiles are considered superior to the Silkworm or HY series because the C series missiles are capable of engaging a target at closer range (11 km) than the Silkworm (19 km). This gives it a big advantage over the Silkworm in a narrow body of water such as the Strait of Hormuz. The C missiles also cruise at a lower altitude than the Silkworm, reducing warning time to the potential adversary. In addition, a C-802 coastal battery can fire 12 missiles before reloading, whereas a Silkworm battery can only fire four missiles in succession. The C-802 can also be steered in flight to a greater degree than can the Silkworm. However, the C series warhead is considered less effective against warships than the Silkworm, although the C series missiles can easily pierce most commercial shipping hulls.

In January 2004, on the threshold of Ten-Day Dawn celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution, Minister of Defense Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani presided over the unveiling ceremony for a sophisticated new missile dubbed Raad and its accompanying advanced radar system designated DM-3b.

Naval capabilities in the Caspian           

The Iranian Navy in the Caspian Sea is represented by two commands independent of one another: the Naval Armed Forces Command in the Caspian Sea Zone (4th Naval Region, with naval base at Anzali) and the Naval Corps Guards Command of the Islamic Revolution in the Caspian Sea Zone (coastal defense battalion at the port of Nowshahr). Training centers of the Naval Armed Forces are functioning in the ports of Nowsharh and Anzali, as well as in Rasht. A school for Iranian combat divers is also located in the Caspian area.

The Iranian Navy has about 90 small combat vessels and auxiliary craft in all in the Caspian. It is believed that these include three very small submarines of Iranian construction (the DPRK variety that can take on board a team of combat divers and explosives specialists and is capable of covering a distance of 1,900 miles with use of a snorkel), the antiquated coastal minesweeper Salman (of US construction, 'Bluebird' class), the government yacht Khamze, patrol craft, and speed boats with armament. Iran is capable of sharply increasing its group of ships in the Caspian in a short time frame, however, transferring cutters from the Persian Gulf (including four hovercraft).

The Naval Armed Forces Command has announced its intention to deploy new naval assets in the Caspian Sea. The Iranians may use small, fast-moving (46 kt) patrol boats of the 'Boghammar' class in the Caspian's coastal regions. These craft are outfitted with large-caliber machine guns, recoilless weapons, and 107 mm 12-barrel rocket launchers. The crews of these patrol boats are also armed with shoulder-fired anti-tank rocket launchers and portable anti-aircraft missile systems.

IRGC naval strength           

The IRGC has some 20,000 men in its naval branch, trained in asymmetric warfare, including a 5,000-man marine branch. It is equipped with 10 Hudong missile patrol boats with C-802 anti-ship missiles, 40 Boghammer patrol boats, and numerous patrol craft. It has bases on islands and coastal areas in the Gulf like Siri Island, Abu Musa, Khorramshahr, Larak, and Bandar Abbas, and on Halul (an offshore oil platform. It also controls Iran's coastal defense forces, including naval guns and an HY-2 "Seersucker" land-based anti-ship missile unit deployed in 5-7 sites along the Gulf coast.

Navy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Rear-Admiral Morteza Saffari, has reported that 313 vessels have joined the navy of the IRGC. Rear-Admiral Saffari added: "These vessels are armed with missile launchers and torpedo launchers with various firing ranges. These vessels have increased the combat capability of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' navy in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman."

Chain of Command           

The commander of the navy is Rear Admiral Abbas Mohtaj and his head of Tactical HQ, Bandar Abbas, is Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani. The head of the IRGC Naval wing is Rear Admiral Ali Morteza Safari.

Chain of Command

 

Organisation           

Little is known about the organization of the Iranian Navy but it is thought that a standard order of battle has evolved, with flotilla and squadron-style units being used. The navy's 18,000 complement includes 2,000 Naval Air personnel and a two brigade marine force of some 2,600 men. Conscripts undertake 18-month national service. In addition, the IRGC has some 20,000 men in its naval branch, trained in asymmetric warfare, including a 5,000-man marine branch.

By 1994, the Naval Branch of the Revolutionary Guard deployed some five operational land-based anti-ship units each with up to six HY-2 launchers. Some of these are deployed near the naval base at Bandar Abbas, others at Kuestak near the Strait of Hormuz which control entry into the Persian Gulf. In the early 1990s, these Silkworm units were allegedly augmented by eight supersonic SS-N-22 "Sunburn" anti-ship missiles supplied by Ukraine. However, this assertion has not been conclusively established. During this time, Iran may also have acquired a number of C-601s from China. Some Western sources have indicated that Iran possesses a total of more than 300 HY-2. Iran is reported as having sought to acquire more advanced anti-ship systems from North Korea and China, and completed the procurement of 15 Chinese-made Houdong fast patrol boats equipped with C-802 ASCMs. the naval branch of the IRGC operates Iran's land-based anti-ship missiles and coastal defense artillery

Iran's naval aviation branch is one of the few air elements in any Gulf Navy, the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Aviation (IRINA). It has a two brigade marine force of some 2,600 men and a 2,000-man naval aviation force. The principal attack and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role of the IRINA is executed by its 20 or so SH-3D Sea Kings, supported by a number of AB212ASWs. It also has some heavy-lift RH-53Ds and for liaison purposes it has Agusta built AB205As and AB206As. The Navy Patrol Squadron is equipped with Dassault Falcon 20Es and Fokker F27-400M.

Training Areas           

Few details are available but frequent exercises are undertaken in the Strait of Hormuz, around Kharg in the neck of the Gulf and submarine exercises in the Gulf of Oman. Iran has also increased the number of its joint training exercises, conducting naval maneuvers with Pakistani and Indian navies in 2003. Iran has endeavored to downplay the threatening nature of these exercises, inviting observers from Oman to maneuvers carried out in December 1998. US officials claim that 'Kilo' class submarine exercises have tended to take place in the Gulf of Oman rather than in the more difficult waters of the shallow Persian Gulf.

Navy Bases           

Naval administrative headquarters is in Tehran, but operational headquarters is at Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz. There is a second operating base and dockyard at Bushehr. Other operating bases are at Kharg island (light forces), Chah Bahar (submarines) on the Indian Ocean and there is a training base at Anzali on the Caspian Sea. Inshore patrol craft operate from forward bases at Farsi, Sirri and Abu Musa.

Naval Bases

 

Inventory: Surface Fleet           

Type	Role	Quantity	Delivered
Alvand (Vosper Mk 5)	Frigate	3	1971-2
Bayandor (PF 103)	Corvette	2	1964
Kaman (Combattante II)	Fast Attack Craft - Missile	10	1977-81
Hudong	Fast Attack Craft - Missile 1	10	1994-6
Zafar (Chaho)	Fast Attack Craft - Gun 2	3	1987
MIG-S-2600	Large Patrol Craft	5	n/a
Parvin (PGM-71)	Large Patrol Craft	3	1967-70
US Mk III	Coastal Patrol Craft	9	1975-6
PBI	Coastal Patrol Craft	60	n/a
US Mk II	Coastal Patrol Craft	6	1976-7
MIG-G-1900	Coastal Patrol Craft 1	8	n/a
MIG-S-1800	Coastal Patrol Craft 1	6	n/a
PBI	Coastal Patrol Class	60	n/a
Boghammar	Patrol Craft	24	1984-5
Boston Whaler	Patrol Craft	20	1989
Shahrokh (MSC-268/292)	Minesweeper - Coastal	3	1959-62
Cape	Minesweeper - Inshore 2	2	1964
Iran AJR	Landing Ship Tank	2	1978-9
Iran Hormuz 24	Landing Ship Tank	3	1985-6
Hengam	Landing Ship Logistics	4	1974-85
Fouque (MIG-S-3700)	Landing Ship Logistics	2	1992-95
Iran Hormuz 21	Landing Craft Tank	3	1984-5
Wellington (BH.7)	Hovercraft	6	1970-1
Kharg	Replenishment Ship	1	1984
Bandar Abbas, Boushehr	Fleet Supply Ship	2	1973-4
Kangan	Water Tanker	4	1978-9
Delvar	Support Ship	7	1980-2
Hendijan	Tender	13	1988-95
Damen 1550	Pilot Craft	10	1993
Kish, Hamzeh	Training Ship	2	1963-70
Dolphin, 400	Floating Dock	2	1977-85
MAN Nordhaman	Floating Dock	1	n/a
Various	Harbour Tug	17	n/a
Notes 1.       Probably operated by the Pasdaran. 2.       Probably non-operational. 3.       Two 1940s vintage Allen M Sumner destroyers are tied up at Bandar Abbas and may still be available as floating anti-aircraft batteries. Neither has been reported at sea since 1996.

Inventory: Submarines           

Type	Role	Quantity	Delivered
'Kilo' (Type 887 EKM)	Diesel Attack Submarine	3	1992-97
Various	Midget Submarine	3	1988-

 

Kilo class submarine Noor (US Navy)

 

Inventory: Naval Aviation           

Type	Role	Quantity	In Service
Mi-8 AMT (Mi-171)	Transport/Attack Helicopter	17	17
AH-1J SeaCobra 1	Attack Helicopter	3	3
AB 204/212ASW	ASV/ASW Helicopter	6	6
ASH-3D Sea King	Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter	n/a	6
MH/RH-53D Sea Stallion	Surface Search/Mine Warfare Helicopter	7	3
Dornier 228	Transport	5	5
C-130H-MP Hercules 2	Maritime Reconnaissance	25	25
P-3F Orion 2	Early Warning and Control/ASW	3	n/a
Notes: 1.       In June 1999 it was reported that Iran's Panha company had rebuilt and returned to service three SeaCobra helicopters damaged during the Iran-Iraq war. The company claimed that 95 per cent of the damaged AH-1Js had to be remanufactured. 2.       Operated by the air force.