According to information published by Tasnim on August 29, 2023, an inside source from the Iranian Ministry of Defense has revealed that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy will soon integrate two homegrown submarines into its fleet.
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Iranian Fateh class submarine IRIS Fateh. (Picture source: Mehr News Agency)
These new generation submarines, named Ghadir and Fateh, have been developed by the Defense Ministry's Marine Industries Organization. It is expected that the IRGC naval forces will officially integrate these submarines into their fleet in the near future.
Earlier in April, the Iranian Navy revealed that multiple models of the Fateh (translating to "conqueror") submarine were in various stages of production, with their hulls already constructed.
The Navy's commander praised Fateh's performance, emphasizing its efficacy in torpedo launching and underwater target detection since its induction into the fleet.
Weighing 527 tons on the surface, the Fateh's weight increases to 593 tons when submerged. This semi-heavy submarine boasts an advanced sonic radar system, designed for tracking enemy vessels, and is equipped with a missile defense system.
Iranian submarine fleet
Among the prominent vessels in its fleet are the Kilo-class submarines, including the IRIS Taregh, commissioned in 1992, with a weight of 2,356 tons surfaced and 3,076 tons submerged.
IRIS Nooh and IRIS Yunes, both part of the same class, were commissioned in 1993 and 1996 respectively, and as of 2023, they are reported to be in refit.
In addition to the Kilo class, the navy has integrated the Fateh class coastal submarine. The IRIS Fateh, weighing 527 tons, was commissioned in 2019 and is a proud display of Iran's indigenous maritime capabilities.
Further enhancing their subsurface assets, the navy commissioned the Ghadir class midget submarines from 2007 onwards, each with a weight of 125 tons. Additionally, the Nahang class, another category of midget submarines, includes the IRIS Nahang, commissioned in 2006, weighing 115 tons.
