IRGC adds homegrown warship, fast attack craft to naval fleet

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has taken delivery of a range of domestically designed and manufactured military equipment, including Martyr Rais Ali Delvari warship and dozens of fast attack craft equipped with missile launching systems.

They were inducted during a ceremony attended by IRCG chief Major General Hossein Salami, IRGC Navy chief Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, and other senior state and military officials in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on Thursday.

Martyr Rais Ali Delvari warship has been named after a great national hero and independence fighter who led the anti-colonial struggle in southern Iran.

Delvari, who organized popular resistance against the British troops, was martyred in 1915 at the age of 33 in a fierce clash with British aggressors in the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tangsiri said the new Iranian warship can carry three missile-launching vessels and a helicopter on board. It could be furnished with missiles with a range of 750 kilometers, he added. 

He said that the military vessel is currently armed with missiles developed by the Iranian Defense Ministry with a range of 300 kilometers, noting that the warship can cruise at a speed of 32 knots.

The commander added that a fire control system is fitted in Martyr Rais Ali Delvari warship, and the vessel can cruise within a radius of 5,000 nautical miles.

The fast attack craft vessels can sail at a speed of 65-90 knots (120-166 km/h) and can fire anti-destroyer cruise missiles. Among the unveiled vessels today, was a fast attack craft with a breakneck velocity of 110 knots (203 km/h). 

Salami: IRGC naval force extends air defense capabilities

In an address to the event, Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami also said the naval units of the force have significantly developed their capabilities.

The IRGC’s plans for the expansion of air defense capabilities while operating at sea have now come to fruition, he said, adding that the force has acquired remarkable air defense capabilities to counter potential threats at sea.

He highlighted Iran’s substantial presence in international waters, emphasizing that accuracy, velocity, depth of navigation, and range of weapons determine the fate of naval battles.

The IRGC’s strategy entails the production of weapons and equipment that comply with its naval doctrine and criteria, Salami added.

The IRGC chief commander underlined that his force’s homegrown naval missiles outperform their nominal range because they are fired from the missile-launching speed boats that can cruise at a speed of 110 knots.

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