The
Islamic Republic of Iran Navy is the maritime force
of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Naval assets of Iran are split between the Navy
and the naval section of the Army of the Guardians
of the Islamic Revolution (IRGCN). In general the
Navy operates the larger assets and operates in
a ‘conventional navy’ model, whereas
the IRGCN operates smaller craft in an ‘Asymmetrical’
doctrine.
The IRI Navy is equipped with vessels purchased
from the west before the 1979 revolution, but it
also started procuring from China and North Korea,
and even locally produced craft.
The IRI Navy has about 18,000 personnel and the
IRGCN has 20,000 personnel. The IRI Navy fleet consists
of 3 Diesel submarines and 4 medium/large size suface
ships.
The IRGCN fleet consists of more than 100 small
fighting vessels.