IRGC Navy Receives Shahid Soleimani Catamaran Rocket Ship
"Shahid Soleimani" on trials
On September 5, a solemn ceremony of commissioning a new ship took place in the port of the Iranian city of Bandar Abbas. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps received a small catamaran missile ship Shahid Soleimani from the Navy. In the near future, this pennant will begin service, and then several ships of the same type will join it, while they are at different stages of construction.
For a new project
In May 2020, the IRGC command announced its intention to build a series of small missile ships / missile boats of a new type. It was reported that they would receive missile systems to strike at distant targets. It also provided for the installation of modern air defense systems and artillery. The project was named "Shahid Soleimani" - in honor of General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed a few months earlier.
Apparently, the development of the project was completed no later than 2020, and the construction of the first ships began at the same time. By the spring of 2021, significant progress had been made in this matter, and foreign intelligence agencies became aware of it. So, in February last year, foreign satellites revealed the construction of three ships at once at different enterprises. The first catamaran was located in the open area of the plant in the city of Bushehr, the second was noticed at one of the shipyards in the city of Bandar Abbas, and the third was built by an enterprise on about. Kushm.
Satellite images showed formed hulls with superstructures. Probably, by that time, the ships under construction had managed to receive part of the internal units and systems, and the installation work continued. The completion of the construction, apparently, required at least several months.
The lead ship "Martyr Soleimani" was launched tentatively in the summer of 2021. Then completion and mooring tests were completed. Not later than the beginning of November, the catamaran went to sea for sea trials. The other two ships are still at the factories, although their construction is nearing completion.
To date, the first ship of the project has passed all the necessary tests and confirmed the design characteristics. On September 5, in the city of Bandar-Abbas, a ceremony was held for his acceptance into the combat strength of the IRGC Navy. During the event, they talked about the great importance of this ship for fleet Cases, as well as the presence of a number of characteristic features and advantages.
The other two catamarans are likely to be completed and tested in the coming months. Accordingly, the next ceremony of admission to the Navy will take place no later than 2023. Depending on the planned number of ships, such events may become regular.
The ship and its weapons
"Shahid Soleimani" is a catamaran ship of a characteristic appearance, equipped with rocket and artillery weapons and other means. The total length of such a ship reaches 65 m, the width is 4-5 times less. Displacement unknown; it can be estimated at 500-700 tons. Accordingly, such a catamaran can be considered as a missile boat or as a small rocket ship.
The ship has a specific appearance. Its exterior is formed from planes of different shapes, placed at different angles, which indicates a reduction in radar visibility. The side hulls are of considerable length, and their bow protrudes in front of the bridge. The ship received a low superstructure with habitable compartments and armament volumes. In the stern there is a flight deck, under which there is a compartment for various cargoes.
It is reported that "Shahid Soleimani" is equipped with four Iranian diesel engines. The type and power of these products, as well as the architecture of the power plant, are not reported. Probably, the engines are placed in pairs in the side hulls and operate on two propellers or water cannons. The design of the hull indicates the possibility of obtaining high speeds.
The catamaran carries several artillery systems. A remotely controlled combat module with a 30-mm automatic cannon is installed in front of the superstructure. On the sides of it, on the sides of the ship, there are two DBMS with three-barreled 20-mm guns. Two similar modules are located behind the superstructure, in front of the flight deck.
Inside the superstructure, directly behind the bridge, are vertical missile launchers. There are four (two on each side) cells for missiles of larger diameter and six smaller ones. Apparently, these installations are intended for anti-aircraft missiles. Thus, during the recent acceptance ceremony, it was reported that for the first time in Iranian practice, the ship received short and medium-range air defense systems with vertical missile launch.
Launchers for anti-ship missiles are located at the stern of the superstructure. Such an installation carries two larger containers for anti-ship missiles of the Gader type, as well as one small container with a Nasr missile. Perhaps these installations are compatible with other missiles.
"Martyr Soleimani" has advanced electronic weapons. Various locator antennas and other devices are placed on the mast and on the roof of the superstructure. At the same time, there are no large antennas indicating the possibility of detecting targets at considerable distances. Perhaps radars of this kind will be installed later. It is reported that there are means of electronic warfare. In particular, there are two launchers for jamming in front of the superstructure.
Superstructure, top view. Visible covers of vertical launchers and TPK with anti-ship missiles
The flight deck is capable of receiving Bell 412 helicopters or a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles. At the same time, there is no hangar for storing large equipment. Below deck is a volume for a speedboat. It is launched into the water and rises aboard with the help of a special crane.
For the benefit of the fleet
So far, not much is known about Shahid Soleimani. However, the available data make it possible to determine the strengths of this project and understand why the IRGC decided to build such ships in series. In general, we are talking about a successful combination of running and combat characteristics, which can be used in solving various problems.
The catamaran scheme and the used power plant allow the new ship to develop high speed. At the same time, the ship is distinguished by reduced visibility. All this allows you to quickly reach the frontiers of application. weapons and reduces the risk of detection by the enemy. In case of detection and attack, the ship can use electronic warfare equipment, jamming ammunition, etc.
A developed complex of rocket and artillery weapons was used. For defense or attack in the near zone, there are five remote-controlled small-caliber guns. Short and medium-range air defense systems are provided. The strike capabilities of the ship are determined by the presence of two types of anti-ship missiles at once with a range of up to 150-200 km.
Such a missile ship can serve and perform tasks independently and as part of detachments. However, to unlock the full potential of the design, it is optimal to work alone or use the same type of catamarans together. In any case, the ships of the Shahid Suleimani project have the ability to protect themselves and their escorted pennants from attack from the air or water, as well as strike at distant surface targets.
A ship with such capabilities can patrol or protect shipping in the coastal zone. He is also capable of conducting surprise attacks on enemy ships and vessels. Other options for combat work are not excluded, but in these cases the catamaran will not be able to use all its advantages and will face certain limitations.
The IRGC Navy has already received the first ship of the new project. Two more are at different stages of construction and will be commissioned in the foreseeable future. It is quite possible that serial construction will not stop there, and the IRGC will receive several more catamarans. The appearance of such a flotilla will make it possible to more fully use the positive qualities of the ships incorporated in the project.
At least three
The Iranian fleet has been showing interest in catamarans for a long time, but until recently, everything was limited only to experiments and the construction of non-combat vessels. Then this direction was developed, and the IRGC received a new ship of a special design, and is also expecting the next pennants of this series.
How successful and successful in practical terms will be "Shahid Soleimani" and the next catamarans of this project, time will tell. It will take several years to demonstrate the possibilities and gain experience, and only then it will be possible to draw conclusions. However, the IRGC Navy already believes that they need such ships. While we are talking about only three, but in the future their number may increase.
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