http://www.canada.com/technology/news/techwire/story.html?id=8ec2322f-4fbb-4a93-8b23-884f3cb50828
http://www.iribnews.ir/Full_fa.asp?news_id=97781840137434&n=4
Tehran officially launches production of first Iranian-made submarine
Canadian Press
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran officially launched production of the country’s first Iranian-built submarine, a craft capable of operating stealthily, state-run television reported.
Defence Ministry spokesman Mohammad Imani was quoted as saying “the enemy would not be able to detect the submarine.”
He did not elaborate.
One submarine has apparently already been built and was shown on television Tuesday, cruising at sea level. The Defence Ministry has commissioned an unspecified number of the craft, dubbed Ghadir in honour of a site in the Arabian peninsula that is holy to Shiite Muslims, the overwhelming majority of Iran’s 69 million people.
The submarine, capable of operating in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, can launch both missiles and torpedoes at the same time, the television reported, without specifying the range of the projectiles.
In December, Iran announced the production of a line of stealth torpedoes that could be launched from helicopters, ships or submarines.
Iranian officials have repeatedly said the Islamic Republic will defend itself should the United States or Israel launch a strike against it. There have been suggestions either or both countries might launch a pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, which Washington suspects may be aimed at building atomic weapons.
Iran already mass produces the Shahab-3 missile, capable of reaching Israel and U.S. forces stationed in Saudi Arabia and Turkey. It also has, since 1992, produced its own brand of tanks, armoured personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane.
© The Canadian Press 2005
By: Distiller - 12th May 2005 at 19:20
By: Arabella-Cox - 11th May 2005 at 18:37
Yes North Korea builds old Yugoslav Heroj class sub (60’s design) under licence. The cooperation between Iran and NK was big, so possibly Iran acquired this design.
I think you are wrong about subs being extremely complicated to design. A country with the industry of Iran can easily build a basic coastal patrol sub. The part about it being “undetectable” is probably Iranian propaganda. However, and correct me if I’m wrong, the waters where this sub would operate are extremely shallow, and the superior sonar capabilities of modern western subs would be nullified in shallow waters, so maybe it really would be undetectable.
By: JonS - 11th May 2005 at 18:18
Hmmmm I don’t doubt their capabilities but Subs are very complex machines, you can’t just throw one together and say it works.
I’d be very intereasted to see how this goes and some pics! If it is true, I’ll bet my bottom dollar that China had a hand in it!
before we get into consipiracy theories it susposedly is midget submarine something in displacement of 200 tons, my guess perhaps something based on north korea sang-o or a serbian design. Atlast that was my impression after seeing the video with model of it in some iranian newspaper websites.
By: Austin - 11th May 2005 at 18:13
Very Interesting , even if they manage to build subs half as good as kilo’s , which is possible or may be as good as Kilos , Besides China , Russia would be more that willing to help Iran , Then Its just a matter of time that Iran Could Dominate Strait Of Hormuz and near by sea lanes during the time of war.
Its a strange Irony that country like Iran under sanctions has managed to produce its own sub , with what ever help they can get and a country like India is contemplating which sub to buy.
By: Ja Worsley - 11th May 2005 at 17:50
Hmmmm I don’t doubt their capabilities but Subs are very complex machines, you can’t just throw one together and say it works.
I’d be very intereasted to see how this goes and some pics! If it is true, I’ll bet my bottom dollar that China had a hand in it!
By: Arabella-Cox - 11th May 2005 at 16:06
While I don’t underestimate Iranian ingenuity this is clearly embellished for domestic consumption.
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May 11, 2005 at 3:40 pm