Peykaap III-class missile boat

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
OperatorsNavy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
General characteristics
TypeFast patrol craft
Displacement13.75 tons
Length17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
Beam3.75 m (12 ft 4 in)
Draught0.7 m (2 ft 4 in)
Installed power2 × diesel engines, 2,400 horsepower (1.8 MW)
Propulsion1 × propeller
Speed52 knots (96 km/h; 60 mph)
Complement3
Armament

Design

edit

The Peykaap III is a modified version of North Korean IPS-16, manufactured by Iran.[2]

Dimensions and machinery

edit

The 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

edit

Peykaap 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

edit

In 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

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Carlson, Christopher P. (2021). "Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy: A Small Craft Overview" (PDF). Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Egozi, Arie (27 July 2023). "Iran delivers weapon systems to Venezuela". Defence Industry Europe. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Video: Venezuelan Navy Transfers Iranian Missile Boats to the Atlantic Coast". Carroemotos. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Venezuela Navy operates 2 Iranian built Zolfaghar class missile boats". 26 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Venezuela's Zolfaghar boats are just the latest military equipment provided by Iran". The Observers. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
edit