From Oil Tanker to Drone Carrier: Iran Prepares for Sea Tests of New 'Drone Carrier'

IRIS Makran

Iran Prepares to Begin Sea Tests of New Carrier drones IRIS Kurdestan (442) Like its predecessor, the drone carrier IRIS Makran (441), Kurdestan is a converted tanker, in this case the Tabukan (IMO: 8917467), a former crude oil carrier.

The vessel has undergone an extensive refit to support expeditionary marine operations. The refit is being carried out by Iran Shipbuilding Offshore Industries Complex Co. (ISOICO), which has facilities near Bandar Abbas.

The vessel, built in 1992, is approximately 183 m long and 32,23 m wide. Its capacity is 29 tons, and its deadweight is 506 tons. Before being acquired by Iran, it sailed under the flag of Togo. The technical characteristics of the vessel allow it to become a large floating base, with enough space to accommodate combat systems and equipment. The wide stern provides excellent stability, which is an important factor for the operation of UAVs in maritime conditions.

IRIS Kurdestan

The tanker's upper deck has been converted into a large flight deck suitable for helicopters and drones. It can also accommodate containers with various equipment, serving, for example, as communication and control points.

The internal redesign of the vessel is expected to accommodate maintenance workshops, crew quarters, fuel and ammunition storage, and control facilities. drones.

Kurdestan will serve not only as a drone carrier, but also act as a mobile logistics and support center, extending the Iranian Navy's range to remote maritime zones without the need for shore-based replenishment.

Comments

[hagen]

Iran is preparing to begin sea trials of its new drone carrier IRIS Kurdestan (442). Like its predecessor, the drone carrier IRIS Makran (441), Kurdestan is a converted tanker, in this case the Tabukan (IMO: 8917467), a former crude oil carrier.

Large-scale, but pointless. Unless it's a commercial project...

[Pavel Kislyakov]

If everything is done correctly, it won’t be pointless; large dry cargo ships and tankers can even be converted into aircraft carriers.

[al3x]

I'm way off topic, but even I understand that it's impossible to convert a tanker into an aircraft carrier. It will be a self-propelled runway, nothing more. For UAVs, yes, it's possible, but not for manned aircraft.

[hagen]

Quote: Pavel Kislyakov

If everything is done correctly, it won’t be pointless; large dry cargo ships and tankers can even be converted into aircraft carriers.

I don't see the logic behind building this vessel. In essence, it is a large object measuring 180x30 meters, loaded with thousands of high-tech combat (i.e., stuffed with explosives) products, designed to fight someone. This means that we must expect counteraction in response. The main threats to Iran today are the United States and Israel. Highly developed countries with quite powerful and modern means of reconnaissance and target destruction on land and at sea. Finding and destroying this vessel will not be difficult for them, and with minimal means - 2-3 missiles. And if the aggressor needs to get closer to Iran, i.e., sea-based means of transporting offensive weapons are needed, then Iran itself, as the defending party, is more comfortable maneuvering its defenses on land, avoiding their concentrations and using the opportunities of the protective properties of the terrain. Some kind of confusion here...

[Volder]

One enemy submarine is enough - and Iran will not have any drone carriers. Not to mention an enemy bomber plane. Iranian ships have neither anti-submarine warfare nor air defense. Floating tin cans :(

[Vitaly_pvo]

Quote: Volder

Iranian ships have neither anti-submarine warfare nor air defense systems.

Where does such sad information come from? They launch satellites themselves and their nuclear industry is at a level. They can easily figure out hydroacoustics for anti-submarine warfare and radar for air defense. And they also make air defense missile systems. Moreover, they did not even have restrictions on import substitution and intellectual property in the project.

[Pavel Kislyakov]

It's not as easy with ASW as you think, and their air defense is good, but if I remember correctly, there isn't any on the ships, they're old stuff, but I'd be glad to be wrong

[Cympak]

It is very difficult to sink a tanker. This was demonstrated by the Tanker War between Iran and Iraq. A tanker is essentially a huge "water carrier" with double sides and a huge reserve of buoyancy. As a rule, tankers were disabled as a result of fires, and they tried to hit the superstructure with the bridge and crew cabins, as well as the engines.

[rocket757]

This has never happened... or has it?
Not an aircraft carrier for the poor, the concept is different...
What will come out of this... who the hell knows???

[Cympak]

"They say this is new, but everything has already happened..."
US Expeditionary Sea Bases (ESB) built from converted 78-ton Alaska-class tankers

[rocket757]

Floating bases, escort aircraft carriers, and other similar things converted from this and that...

[Emelianenko Igor]

Judging by the latest trends, manned aviation, including marine aviation, is fading into the background. Such projects (drone carriers) have a right to exist. Until something new is invented. And tankers, due to their design (many watertight compartments), are very durable. At one time, I worked on a tanker that maintained positive buoyancy when three adjacent compartments were flooded, so a torpedo is not the worst enemy of such a vessel.

[Eugene Zaboy]

Kurdestan will serve not only as a drone carrier, but also act as a mobile logistics and support center, extending the Iranian Navy's range to remote maritime zones without the need for shore-based replenishment.

A completely reasonable solution for ensuring the protection of logistics. Everything, of course, depends on the specialization of the UAV and the equipment placed on the vessel.

[Dutchman Michel]

Quote: Hagen

Large-scale, but pointless

Why is it pointless? An attack ship with an unmanned system. It should also build up its own air defense