Zolfaghar (Persian: ذوالفقار, named after Zulfiqar; also known as Peykaap III[1]) is a class of fast patrol craft operated by the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran.
Class overview | |
---|---|
Operators | Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps |
General characteristics | |
Type | Fast patrol craft |
Displacement | 13.75 tons |
Length | 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in) |
Beam | 3.75 m (12 ft 4 in) |
Draught | 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in) |
Installed power | 2 × diesel engines, 2,400 horsepower (1.8 MW) |
Propulsion | 1 × propeller |
Speed | 52 knots (96 km/h; 60 mph) |
Complement | 3 |
Armament |
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Design
editThe Peykaap III is a modified version of North Korean IPS-16, manufactured by Iran.[2]
Dimensions and machinery
editThe ships have an estimated standard displacement of 13.75 t (13.53 long tons).[2] The class design is 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in) long, would have a beam of 3.75 m (12 ft 4 in) and a draft of 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in).[2] It uses one surface piercing propeller, powered by two diesel engines.[2] This system was designed to provide 2,400 horsepower (1,800 kW) for an estimated top speed of 52 knots (96 km/h; 60 mph).[2]
Armament
editPeykaap III crafts are equipped with two single anti-ship missile launchers with Kowsar or Nasr[2][3] which rely on internal guidance and active terminal homing to 38 kilometres (21 nmi) at 0.8 Mach.[2] It is also compatible with Chinese C-701/FL-10 torpedoes.[2] Their secondary armament is two 12.7 mm machine gun.[2]
History
editIn July 2023, the Venezuelan Zolfaghars were displayed, armed with Nasr-1 anti-ship missiles.[4] They were presented in the wake of the Royal Navy's HMS Trent arrival in Guyana.[5]
On February 24, 2024, the Peykaap IIIs were sighted near the Gulf of Paria.[6]
Users
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Carlson, Christopher P. (2021). "Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy: A Small Craft Overview" (PDF). Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Saunders, Stephen; Philpott, Tom, eds. (2015), "Iran", IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2015–2016, Jane's Fighting Ships (116th Revised ed.), Coulsdon: IHS Jane's, p. 390, ISBN 9780710631435, OCLC 919022075
- ^ The International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) (2020). "Middle East and North Africa". The Military Balance 2020. Vol. 120. Routledge. p. 350. doi:10.1080/04597222.2020.1707968. ISBN 9780367466398. S2CID 219624897.
- ^ Egozi, Arie (27 July 2023). "Iran delivers weapon systems to Venezuela". Defence Industry Europe. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Video: Venezuelan Navy Transfers Iranian Missile Boats to the Atlantic Coast". Carroemotos. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Venezuela Navy operates 2 Iranian built Zolfaghar class missile boats". 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Venezuela's Zolfaghar boats are just the latest military equipment provided by Iran". The Observers. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
External links
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