Iran launches 'cruise missile capable' submarine
On 17 February 2019, Iran launched a new locally-made submarine capable of firing cruise missiles, state TV said, in the country's latest show of military might at a time of heightened tensions with the US.
The launch ceremony, led by President Hassan Rouhani, took place in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. ‘Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully self-reliant on land, air and sea,’ Rouhani said. ‘Our defensive power is meant to defend our interests and we have never sought to attack any country,’ he added.
Named the Fateh (Farsi for 'Conqueror'), Fars news agency said the new submarine is Iran's first in the semi-heavy category, filling a gap between the light Ghadir class and the heavy Kilo class submarines that the country possesses.
Fars said the near 600-tonne underwater vessel is equipped with torpedoes and naval mines in addition to cruise missiles, and can operate more than 200 metres below sea level for up to 35 days.
The US withdrew from a 2015 multilateral nuclear deal with Iran in May 2018 and re-imposed biting unilateral sanctions later last year.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards on February 7 unveiled a new ballistic missile with a range of 1,000 km, according to the elite unit's official media agency Sepah News.
The surface-to-surface missile - called Dezful - is an upgrade on the older Zolfaghar model that had a range of 700 km, aerospace commander Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh said.
Rouhani said on Sunday that ‘pressure by enemies, the (Iran-Iraq) war and sanctions’ were incentives for Tehran to be self-reliant in its defence industry. ’Maybe we would not have this motivation to industrialise our defence sector,’ he said, if Iran could just buy the weaponry it needed.
Iran's top military brass and cabinet ministers attended the ceremony.
More from Naval Warfare
-
TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid
Four shipbuilders have been downselected to build the frigate replacement programme, and TKMS hopes the new deal will give it a geographical advantage.
-
As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?
The tripartite submarine project is under political pressure from a grass-roots Australian Labor Party movement, but it could also have practical issues in its way.
-
Newest Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyer launched and ready for fitting
DDG 129, which will become the USS Jeremiah Denton on commissioning, was moved to dry dock to begin its technical fitting and testing.
-
Russia and Ukraine agree maritime ceasefire – then Russia attaches strings
Tentative peace in the Black Sea broke down almost immediately amid Russian demands for a financial climb-down from the EU.
-
Dune joint venture wins four year contract to bolster UAE OPV fleet
The JV between Al Seer Marine and Damen International doubles down on a recent deal to increase the country’s offshore patrol vessel capabilities.
-
US Navy sends second destroyer to patrol its own southern border
The USS Spruance will help enforce anti-smuggling and anti-immigration laws.