Nahang-class submarine
The Nahang (Persian: نهنگ, lit. 'Whale') is an Iranian-made class of midget submarine designed for shallow water operations. Only one prototype of this class is known to be completed, although its characteristics have remained unclear.
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nahang |
| Builders | Marine Industries Organization |
| Operators | Islamic Republic of Iran Navy |
| Succeeded by | Ghadir class |
| Completed | 1 |
| Cancelled | 2 |
| Active | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Midget submarine |
| Length | ≈ 25 m (82 ft) |
| Beam | ≈ 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | ≈ 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
History
Iran had shown interest in midget submarines in the 1980s.[1] According to the Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships, Iran assembled a midget in Bandar Abbas that was completed in 1987 in an unsuccessful attempt.[1] Iran reportedly purchased a second midget of another design from North Korea, delivered in 1988.[1] It is alleged that by 1993, nine midget submarines –able to displace 76 tons surfaced and 90 tons submerged, with a top speed between 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) and 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)– were imported from North Korea.[1]
Existence of Nahang was first known in April 2006.[2] On 6 March 2006, Iranian state television announced that Nahang 1 has been commissioned into the Southern Fleet.[3] Later that year in late August, she participated in the third phase of Zarbat-e Zolfaghar wargame.[4]
Two other submarines in the class were allegedly planned, but building further units is considered unlikely.[2]
In April 2017, Bellingcat reported that for the first time in years, satellite imagery suggests Nahang had been deployed for a mission.[5]
Description
There is not much confidently known about characteristics of the class.[2] According to Jane's Fighting Ships, the class displaces 100 tonnes (98 long tons) when at the surface and 115 tonnes (113 long tons) while submerged.[2] Alternate estimates for surfaced and submerged displacement are 110 tonnes (110 long tons) and 127 tonnes (125 long tons) respectively[6] while the number given goes as high as 500 tonnes (490 long tons).[7]
Jane's mentions the approximate dimensions as 25 m (82 ft) for length, with a beam of 3 m (9.8 ft) and a draft of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in).[2] 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph)[6] and 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph)[8] are top speeds reported for the submarine. Nahang is reportedly unarmed and not fitted with torpedoes,[2][9] however there are contradicting reports suggesting it has a pair of 533mm torpedo tubes in drop collars and can carry and lay four MDM-6 or EM-52 naval mines.[6] Nahang may be utilized as a mothership for swimmer delivery vehicles[2] and a platform for special operations.[9]
The submarine has no sonar on the report of Jane's,[2] but another account suggests that she is equipped with active/passive sonar on her bow.[6] The machinery installed for propulsion is unknown.[2] Other apparatus reportedly installed include a mast with electronic warfare support capabilities (similar to Russian-made 'Stop Light' type) and surface search and navigation radar.[6]
See also
References
- Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen; Budzbon, Przemysaw, eds. (1996), "Iran", Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995, Conway Maritime Press, p. 185, ISBN 978-1557501325
- Saunders, Stephen; Philpott, Tom, eds. (2015), "Iran", IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2015–2016, Jane's Fighting Ships (116th Revised ed.), Coulsdon: IHS Jane's, p. 382, ISBN 9780710631435, OCLC 919022075
- "New Iranian submarine joins naval fleet", BBC Monitoring Middle East, 6 March 2006, ProQuest 458674805
- "Naval stage of Iran's Zarbat-e Zolfaghar military exercises completed", BBC Monitoring Middle East, 29 August 2006, ProQuest 458658135
- Biggers, Chris (27 April 2017), "Shahid Nazeri Deploys Near the Strait", Bellingcat, retrieved 15 July 2020
- Cordesman, Anthony (2015), "The Iranian Sea-Air-Missile Threat to Gulf Shipping" (PDF), Center for Strategic and International Studies, p. 98, ISBN 978-1-4422-4077-3
- "Iran releases new military submarine and frigate into water", Trend News Agency, McClatchy - Tribune Business News, 29 August 2006, ProQuest 1040836482
- Nadimi, Farzin (April 2020), "Iran's Evolving Approach to Asymmetric Naval Warfare: Strategy and Capabilities in the Persian Gulf" (PDF), The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (Policy Focus), no. 164, Appendix B: IRIN’s Major Operational Naval Vessels, p. 57, archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2020, retrieved 15 July 2020
- Iranian Naval Forces: A Tale of Two Navies (PDF), Office of Naval Intelligence, February 2017, p. 31, ISBN 978-0160939686
