IRIS Fateh (920)
Fateh (Persian: فاتح, lit. 'conqueror') is a coastal submarine of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, and the lead ship of her class. She was commissioned into the Southern Fleet on 17 February 2019 at Bostanu shipyard, Bandar Abbass, and bestowed by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.[1][2]
IRINS Fateh (920) | |
History | |
---|---|
Iran | |
Operator | Islamic Republic of Iran Navy |
Commissioned | 17 February 2019 |
Identification | 920 |
Status | In active service |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Fateh-class submarine |
Displacement | 600 tons |
Endurance | 35 days |
Test depth | 200 m (660 ft) |
Armament | 4 × 533mm torpedo tubes |
Construction
Fateh was launched in 2016, according to Sebastien Roblin.[3] However, H. I. Sutton says Fateh was launched in September 2013 with the hull number 961, before being changed to 920.[4] Iran had announced that it will soon launch an indigenous submarine on 4 December 2016.[5]
Description
Jeremy Binnie of Jane's commented that based on released imagery, the submarine is equipped with retractable sensors such as an electro-optical mast and an optical periscope, as well as radar and electronic intelligence sensors.[2] The propulsion system of Fateh was covered and is unknown.[2] Four 533 mm torpedo tubes were seen on her bow.[2]
Iranian sources wrote that she is armed with torpedoes, AShM cruise missiles and naval mines that could be fired when submerged.[1] According to Caleb Larson, Fateh is likely able to fire Jask-2 missiles.[6]
Service history
Fateh was first seen on action during Joint Exercise Zolfaghar 99, held in September 2020.[6][7] It first fired torpedoes during Eqtedar (Power)-99 naval exercise, held in January 2021.[8]
On April 20, 2023, The Iranian Navy’s Fateh submarine detected the American nuclear-powered submarine USS Florida that was cruising in the Strait of Hormuz stealthily and forced it to surface and correct its course. "The US submarine was approaching while submerged, but the Iranian submarine Fateh detected it and carried out... maneuvers to force it to surface as it went through the Strait (of Hormuz). It had also entered into our territorial waters but ... it corrected its course after being warned", the Navy’s commander said. [9]
References
- Hafezi, Parisa (17 February 2019), MacSwan, Angus (ed.), "Iran presents new Fateh submarine armed with cruise missile: TV", Reuters, retrieved 29 August 2020
- Binnie, Jeremy (18 February 2019), "Iran commissions Fateh submarine", Janes, retrieved 29 August 2020
- Roblin, Sebastien (30 April 2020), "Submarines And More: Iran Knows How To Win In The Persian Gulf", The National Interest
- Sutton, H. I. (4 March 2019), "Fateh-Class Submarine", Covert Shores
- Silverstone, Paul H. (2017), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 54 (1): 12, JSTOR 44894394
- Larson, Caleb (14 September 2020), "Iran's New Fateh-Class Submarine, Explained", The National Interest
- Sutton, H. I. (11 September 2020), "Iran's New Submarine Debuts At Massive War Games", Forbes
- "Iranian Submarine Fires Torpedoes in War Game - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency". www.tasnimnews.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-15.
- "Iran's navy forced US submarine to surface as it entered the Gulf: Report". Al Arabiya English. 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-04-20.