Ghadir-class submarine
Ghadir (Persian: غدیر) is a class of midget submarines built by Iran specifically for cruising within the shallow waters of the Persian Gulf, with a displacement (surfaced) estimated at about 115 long tons (117 metric tons), is probably better described as a coastal or littoral submarine, similar in concept to the Italian Sauro class though significantly smaller.[1] It is named after Ghadir Khumm, a holy place to Shia Muslims. It is based on the North Korean Yono class submarine. Photographs indicate a pair of bow torpedo tubes around 21 inches (530 mm) diameter, allowing them to fire typical heavyweight torpedoes. It could thus serve as a launch platform for the VA-111 Shkval rocket torpedo.
History
On 24 November 2007 Iranian rear-admiral Habibollah Sayyari announced: "A home-made destroyer called Jamaran and a home-made submarine of Ghadir class will launch operation on November 28." [1] He also said that the submarine was equipped with the latest military and technological equipment and that its capabilities are equal to that of foreign types. Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei was quoted saying to Iran's navy commanders on the day the submarine was launched: "Today, you have been able to design and build many of the military requirements. We have become self-sufficient from other countries."[2]
New Ghadir submarines were delivered to the Iranian navy on June 2009, August 2010,[3][4] August 2011,[5] November 2011,[6] February 2012[7] and November 2012.[8] While Ghadir resembles the North Korean Yono class submarine, it is probably better described as a littoral submarine.[9]
Submarines in the class
There are 21 Ghadir-class minisubs in service with the Iranian Navy.
| Submarine |
Launched |
Status |
| Ghadir 942 |
November 2007 |
In service |
| Ghadir 943 |
August 2008 |
In service |
| Ghadir 944 |
November 2008 |
In service |
| Ghadir 945 |
June 2009 |
In service |
| Ghadir 946 |
June 2009 |
In service |
| Ghadir 947 |
June 2009 |
In service |
| Ghadir 948 |
June 2009 |
In service |
| Ghadir 949 |
August 2010 |
In service |
| Ghadir 950 |
August 2010 |
In service |
| Ghadir 951 |
August 2010 |
In service |
| Ghadir 952 |
August 2011 |
In service |
| Ghadir 953 |
August 2011 |
In service |
| Ghadir 954 |
August 2011 |
In service |
| Ghadir 955 |
August 2011 |
In service |
| Ghadir 956 |
November 2011 |
In service |
| Ghadir 957 |
November 2011 |
In service |
| Ghadir 958 |
November 2011 |
In service |
| Ghadir 959 |
February 2012 |
In service |
| Ghadir 960 |
February 2012 |
In service |
| Ghadir 961 |
November 2012 |
In service |
| Ghadir 962 |
November 2012 |
In service |
See also
References
External links
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| | Submarines | |
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| Principal
surface
combatants | |
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| Coastal
warfare
vessels | | |
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| |
- Peykaap (IPS-16) class
- Tir (IPS-18) class
- Bavar class
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- Parvin class
- Kaivan class
- Bavar class
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- Kajami class (Taedong-B)
- Gahjea class (Taedong-C)
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| Amphibious
warfare
vessels | |
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| Minesweepers,
Minelayers |
- Shahrokh MSC
- 292 MSC
- Riazi class (Cape class)
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| * = Under construction or procurement + = Retired
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