According to a tweet published by Mhmiranusa on November 3, 2021, an Iranian Navy's Shahid Soleimani class frigate reportedly begins sea trials near Qeshm island.
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Shahid Soleimani class frigate during sea trials (Picture source: Twitter account of Mhmiranusa)
HARTH Shahid Soleimani-class is 65 m (213 ft 3 in) long, and its design has been compared to the Chinese Type 22 missile boat and the Taiwanese Tuo Chiang class.
At least three were confirmed to be under construction through commercial satellite imagery as of April 2021, one at the Shahid Mahallati Shipyard in Bushehr, one in Qeshm Island and the other at small boatyard near Bandar Abbas.
A high-aspect-ratio twin-hull vessel (acronymed HARTH) refers to a certain design of catamaran vessels with small waterplane area. These vessels are built and used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran. Such design is considered relatively rare in military usage.
The design of vessels is being described as looking "almost like a pond skater" because of the superstructure sitting above tall legs.
Due to the large length of the hulls in the water (also known as pontoons) and also the high height of the deck above the surface, it has a high length-to-width ratio (and is thus called high-aspect-ratio).
This design enables small speedboats to move under the ship, which can technically make certain tactical scenarios possible. The structure is made of aluminum.
Lateral view of Shahid Soleimani class frigate (Picture source: Marinepress)
