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"Shahid Suleimani" on the voyage
A grand ceremony for the new vessel was held on September 5 in the Iranian city of Abbas Port. The Iranian Navy received a small catamaran missile ship, Shahid Soleimani. In the near future, the missile boat will begin service, followed by several ships of the same type joining the naval fleet.
For a new project
In May 2020, the Iranian command announced its intention to build a series of new small guided-missile ships/missile boats. They will reportedly receive missile systems to strike distant targets. It also provided the installation of modern air defense systems and artillery. The project was named "Shahid Suleimani" – in honor of General Qassim Suleimani, who was killed a few months earlier.
Apparently, the development of the project will be completed by 2020 at the latest. In the spring of 2021, the project made significant progress, and foreign intelligence agencies have detected this situation. In February last year, foreign satellites revealed that three ships were being built at different companies at the same time. The first catamaran was located in an open area of the Bushehr City factory, the second was found at a shipyard in Port Abbas, and the third was built by a Kushm enterprise.
Satellite imagery shows that the hull and superstructure have been built. By then, the vessel under construction may have successfully received some of the internal units and systems, and installation work is continuing. It will take several months to complete.
The first ship, the Sulaimani, is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2021, followed by construction and mooring tests. No later than the beginning of November, the catamaran goes to sea for sea trials. Two other ships are still under construction.
The first vessel of the project to date has passed all the necessary tests and confirmed the design characteristics. On 5 September, a ceremony was held in the city of Port Abbas for his joining the Iran Navy. At the event they talked about the importance of the ship, as well as some of the characteristics and advantages.
Two other catamarans are likely to be completed and tested in the coming months. The next Navy enlistment ceremony will take place no later than 2023. Depending on the number of ships planned, such activities could become the norm.
Ship and its weapons
The Shahid Soleimani is a unique-looking catamaran equipped with weapons such as missiles and artillery. The total length of this vessel reaches 65 m. Displacement is estimated at 500-700 tons, and accordingly, such catamarans can be counted both as missile boats and as small rocket ships.
The exterior of the ship consists of planes of different shapes, placed at different angles, which indicates that radar visibility is reduced. The hulls on the side of the ship are quite long, and their bow protrudes in front of the bridge. The ship's superstructure is low, with habitable cabins and weapons capacity. There is a flight deck at the stern and a cabin underneath for various cargoes.
The Shahid Soleimani is reportedly equipped with four Iranian diesel engines. The type and power of these products, as well as the architecture of the generator, were not reported. Engines may be placed in pairs in the side hull and run for two propellers or water cannons. The hull design indicates the acquisition of high-speed performance.
The catamaran carried several artillery systems. A remote-controlled combat module with a 30-mm automatic cannon is mounted in front of the superstructure. On the side of the ship there were two cannons with three barrels of 20-mm. There are also two similar modules located in front of the flight deck.
Directly behind the helm pad of the superstructure is a vertical missile launcher. There are four larger diameter missiles and six smaller diameter missiles. Apparently these devices are used for anti-aircraft missiles. This is reportedly the first time in Iran's practice that it has received short- and medium-range air defense systems with vertical missile launches.
Anti-ship missiles have two larger launchers for Gader-type anti-ship missiles, and one with a Nasr missile launcher. Perhaps these devices are compatible with other missiles.
"Sulaimani" has advanced electronic weapons. Various radar antennas and other equipment are placed on masts and on the roofs of superstructures. At the same time, the absence of large antennas indicates that it is possible to detect targets at considerable distances. Maybe this radar will be installed later. It is reported that the ship has electronic warfare means. In front of the superstructure there are two transmitters for interference.
Superstructure, top view. Vertical launcher with anti-ship missiles
The flight deck is capable of receiving Bell 412 helicopters or various drones. But there is no hangar for large equipment. Below deck is the cabin of the speedboat.
Brought benefits to the fleet
So far little is known about Shahid Soleimani. The available data can determine the strengths of the project and understand why Iran decided to build such ships continuously. In general, we are talking about a successful combination of mobility and combat characteristics that can be used to solve various problems.
The catamaran scheme and the used power units enable new vessels to develop at a high speed. At the same time reduce the visibility of the ship. All of this allows you to quickly reach the front line of the battlefield. And reduce the risk of being discovered by the enemy. In the event of reconnaissance and attack, the ship could use electronic warfare equipment, jamming ammunition, etc.
A combination of advanced missile and artillery weapons was used. Defense or attack for the near zone was provided by five remotely controlled small-caliber guns. Short- and medium-range air defenses are provided by the presence of two types of anti-ship missiles present on the ship. Missiles can have a range of up to 150-200 km.
Such missile boats can carry out missions independently or in conjunction with fleets. In order to unleash the full potential of the design it is best to work alone or together using the same type of catamaran. In any case, the vessels of the Shahid Soleimani project have the ability to protect themselves and their escort flagships from attacks from the air or water, as well as attacks on distant surface targets.
Ships with this capability can patrol or protect shipping in coastal areas. He was also capable of making surprise attacks on enemy ships and ships. The option of other combat missions is not excluded, but in these cases the catamaran will not be able to exert all its advantages and will face certain limitations.
Two other ships, which are in different stages of construction, will be commissioned in the near future. It is likely that the continuous construction will not stop there, and the Iranian Navy will receive more catamarans. The emergence of such a fleet will make it possible to make fuller use of the positive qualities of the ships included in the project.
At least three
The Iranian fleet has long shown interest in catamarans, and everything is limited to the construction of experimental and non-combat vessels. Until recently when the project was developed, the Iranian Navy received a new ship of special design and is also looking forward to the next batch of ships in this series.
How the Shahid Soleimani and the next catamaran of the project will succeed in practice, time will tell. It takes several years to demonstrate competence and accumulate experience before it is possible to draw conclusions. However, the Iranian Navy has believed that they need such ships. Although we are only talking about three, their number may increase in the future.