Click to see full-size image. (Mehr News Agency)
The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) took delivery of the floating forward base Kordestan and the destroyer Sahand on November 29, state media reported.
The Kurdistan was designed to provide rescue and relief, accommodate the heaviest helicopters, and support three destroyers on a three-year, around-the-world mission without needing to dock for fuel, Iranian state TV said. Moreover, footage aired by the TV revealed that the floating forward base, which has a displacement of 45,500 tons, is armed with anti-ship missiles, and capable of carrying fast boats and diver delivery vehicles.
In May, the Maritime Executive, a U.S.-based industry publication, reported that Kurdistan was converted at the ISOICO Shipyard west of the port city of Bandar Abbas from a 33-year-old crude-oil tanker.
The Kurdistan is expected to perform a similar role to Makran, another former crude-oil tanker converted at the same shipyard. The Markan is, however, much larger with a displacement of 121,000 tons. A third crude-oil tanker is reported to be converting to a floating forward base at the shipyard, with the name Khuzestan.
Meanwhile, the Sahand, a Moudge-class destroyer, was first launched in December 2018. It is equipped with a helicopter deck, torpedo launchers, and electronic warfare systems, in addition to anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, according to Iranian state TV. It sank last year in Bandar Abbas after being briefly repositioned.
The Sahand is the fourth Moudge-class destroyer in service with the IRIN. Each one is very much different from the other, but they all have a displacement of 1,500 tons. Displacement wise, the warships are in fact classified as frigates, but Iran refers to its largest warships as “destroyers.”
Both Kurdistan and Sahand will boost the capabilities of the IRIN, which remains one of the dominant powers in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has been working hard to rearm since the end of the 12-day war with Israel last June. Aside from a cruise missile attack from a United States nuclear submarine, the war saw no naval action. It is not guaranteed, however, that this would be the case in a future confrontation.
While the U.S. participation in the last Israeli war was limited to a single wave of strikes, a future confrontation with Iran could lead to a wider attack by Washington. The U.S. The Navy will likely lead operations against the Islamic Republic in such a scenario.
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this is a waste. iran needs to prioritize air defense, air superiority, and counterintelligence, not force projection.
didnt the usa sink their last new ship in the last attacks?
another tool to defend iran and close the straight of hormuz. in washington and tel-aviv, both nations will most likely find some irresponsible response based entirely on the blind ignorance they live by. the rest of the world just goes to work to be rid of them
other nations speak little and work hard to replace the current rules order system. they shut up put their heads down,and will just plain out work amerika to its obvious conclusion.the lying media will keep the us blind as always
you’ve got to carry the lads that born to be king
o o over the sea to skye