Fateh (Persian: فاتح, meaning "conqueror") is an Iranian designed class of semi-heavy submarines. The Iranian media reported that Fateh class subs can operate more than 200 meters (660 ft) below the sea surface for nearly five weeks.
.jpg) Fateh (IRIS 920)
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Fateh |
| Builders | Marine Industries Organization |
| Operators | Islamic Republic of Iran Navy |
| Built | 2008–present |
| In service | 2019–present |
| Planned | 4 |
| Building | 3 |
| Completed | 1 |
| Active | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Semi-heavy submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 48 m (157 ft)[1] |
| Propulsion | BLDC (Diesel-electric) |
| Speed |
|
| Range | 3,600 nmi (6,700 km) at 8 knots (15 km/h), snorkeling |
| Endurance | 35 days |
| Test depth | 250 m (820 ft) |
| Sensors and processing systems | 11 retractable sensors, including an electro-optical mast and what appeared to be an optical periscope. Others may include a radar and electronic intelligence sensors for target-acquisition purposes. |
| Electronic warfare & decoys | Yes |
| Armament | 6 torpedoes/cruise missiles (4 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes), 8 naval mines[2] |
History
editIn September 2013, the Iranian Navy announced that the first sub of this class would be launched by the end of the current Iranian year (in March 2014),[3] according to satellite imagery the first sub of the class was launched in 2013 and a second one is under construction at the Bandar Anzali Naval Base on the Caspian Sea.[4]
In 2019 the Islamic Republic News Agency reported that the Fateh had joined Iran's fleet after final tests, in a ceremony attended by Iranian president Hassan Rouhani. It reported that the Fateh is "equipped with sonar, electric drive, combined battle management, surface-to-surface guided missile guidance, torpedo guidance, electronic and telecommunication warfare, secure and integrated telecommunication systems and dozens of state-of-the-art modern systems. Fateh submarine has surface speed of 11 knots (20.35 km/h) and is capable of travelling submerged at 14 knots (25.9 km/h). The submarine is armed with four 533-mm torpedoes; it can carry eight sea mines and two reserve torpedoes."[5]
On January 13, 2021, Fateh demonstrated its capability to fire torpedoes during the Eqtedar Naval Exercise.[6]
According to Irans's naval commander, the hulls of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th submarines of the class have been constructed and are being equipped.
Iran claims thatFateh detected the American nuclear-powered submarine USS Florida cruising stealthily in the Strait of Hormuz on April 20, 2023 and forced it to surface and correct its course. However, the United States Fifth Fleet denied the claims.[7]
Submarines in the class
edit| Submarine | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRIS Fateh (920) | 2013[8] or 2016[9] | 17 February 2019[10] | In service |
| Fateh 2 (921) | Unknown | TBA | Undergoing trials |
| Fateh 3 (922) | Unknown | TBA | Under construction |
| Fateh 4 (923) | Unknown | TBA | Under construction |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "New Iranian sub seen for the first time". Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
- ^ ""فاتح" 500 تنی ایران آماده فتح دریاها شد +عکس - مشرق نیوز | mashreghnews.ir". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
- ^ Iran to Launch New Submarine to Boost Naval Capabilities in High Seas Archived 2013-12-01 at the Wayback Machine, Fars News Agency, November 27, 2013
- ^ "Iran launches new submarine class". Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
- ^ "Iran most advanced domestically-built submarine joins fleet". Islamic Republic News Agency. February 17, 2019. Archived from the original on February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ "Iranian Submarine Fires Torpedoes in War Game - Politics news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
- ^ "Iran's navy forced US submarine to surface as it entered the Gulf: Report". Al Arabiya English. 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
- ^ Sutton, H. I. (4 March 2019), "Fateh-Class Submarine", Covert Shores
- ^ Roblin, Sebastien (30 April 2020), "Submarines And More: Iran Knows How To Win In The Persian Gulf", The National Interest
- ^ Binnie, Jeremy (18 February 2019). "Iran commissions Fateh submarine". Jane's 360. Abu Dhabi. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.