IRIS Sahand (2012)

Sahand (Persian: سهند) is a Moudge-class frigate in the Southern Fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, named in memory of the sunk frigate bearing the same name of the Sahand volcano.

For other ships with the same name, see Iranian frigate Sahand.
The IRIS Sahand in 2018
History
Iran
NameSahand
NamesakeSahand
BuilderNEDAJA Factories, Bandar Abbas
Launched18 September 2012[1]
Commissioned1 December 2018
HomeportBandar-Abbas
Identification
StatusIn active service
General characteristics
Class and typeMoudge-class frigate
Displacement2,000-2,500 tons
Length95 m (311 ft 8 in)
Installed power4 × diesel engines
SpeedMax 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement140
Sensors and
processing systems		Asr 3D PESA long-range radar
Electronic warfare
& decoys		2 × 8 chaff launcher
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × Bell 212 ASW helicopter
Aviation facilitiesHelicopter landing pad

Description

Sahand has been equipped with a locally-manufactured point-defense weapon system dubbed "Kamand." The Kamand close-in weapon system can destroy any target approaching the destroyer from a distance/altitude of 2–4 kilometres (1.2–2.5 mi) by firing between 4,000 and 7,000 rounds per minute. Sahand is armed with cruise anti-ship missiles and has a helicopter deck and electronic warfare systems.[5][6]

Sahand is said to have twice the defensive and offensive power of Jamaran, with upgraded torpedo tubes, various types of anti-air and anti-surface weapons, surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles, and a point-defense system. Sahand is equipped with an anti-submarine system and a stealth system, and enjoys higher maneuverability and increased operational range. The ship has four powerful engines, an improvement on Jamaran.

Sahand is capable of sailing on turbulent waters and distant oceans for 150 days while accompanied by a support vessel.[7]

Irani also said that Nawab, a domestically-developed medium-range surface-to-air missile system, has already been installed on the Sahand destroyer. Point-defense weapon systems for detecting and destroying incoming missiles and enemy aircraft and anti-missile systems have also been used in the indigenous destroyer. He also added that efforts are underway to install Abu Mahdi naval cruise missile on Iranian military watercraft, noting that the country’s destroyers would be equipped with more powerful cruise missiles. He explained that the Iranian Navy’s surface-to-surface cruise missile power has doubled and that the country’s destroyers will be deployed to high sea for the first time with 8 cruise missiles mounted on them.[8]

History

Sahand was unveiled to the public in late November 2012. All that was shown was pictures of the completed hull and superstructure. The ship was not outfitted with weapons, electronics, or other essential military equipment. These systems were due to be installed in one or two years. The ship entered service on 1 December 2018.[5][6] Sahand is named in the memory of the original Sahand that was sunk by the U.S. in Operation Praying Mantis during the Iran–Iraq War on 18 April 1988.

In June 2021, Sahand, accompanied by IRINS Makran (a naval-converted oil tanker), were the first Iranian naval ships to reach the Atlantic without docking in an international port, according to official Iranian sources.[9][10] Early media report incorrectly suggested they were bound for Venezuela,[11] but the ships were bound for Saint Petersburg to attend Navy Day to commemorate the 325th anniversary of the Russian Navy foundation. Makran was reported to be carrying several Fast Attack Craft.[12]

See also

References
  1. Silverstone, Paul H. (March 2013), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, International Naval Research Organization, 50 (1): 14, JSTOR 44893820
  2. "Surface Forces: Homemade In Iran". Strategypage.com. 15 December 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  3. "Fars News Agency :: Commander: Navy Self-Sufficient in Production of Naval Tools, Equipments". swap.stanford.edu. Archived from the original on 2012-12-13.
  4. "New frigate joins Iranian navy - Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-05. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  5. "Sahand Destroyer Joins Iran Navy Fleet - Defense news". Tasnim News Agency. Archived from the original on 2018-12-02. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  6. "Farsnews". en.farsnews.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-02. Retrieved 2018-12-02.
  7. "'Sahand' destroyer joins Iran's naval fleet". Mehr News Agency. 1 December 2018. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  8. "Iran to equip its Moudge-class frigates with Abu Mahdi cruise missiles". Navy Recognition. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  9. Salem, Mostafa; Alkhshali, Hamdi; Cotovio, Vasco (11 June 2021). "Iran says its naval vessels have reached the Atlantic for the first time". CNN. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  10. "Iranian navy destroyer and sea based deployed for the first time in Atlantic Ocean". Navy Recognition. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  11. LaGrone, Sam (11 June 2021). "Iranian Warship Could Be Bringing Millions of Gallons of Fuel to Venezuela". USNI News. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  12. LaGrone, Sam (22 July 2021). "Iran's Largest Warship Now in the Baltic Sea Bound for Russia". USNI News. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
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