Iran to unveil first semi-heavy submarine within the next few months

A high-ranking Iranian military official says the Islamic Republic will unveil its first domestically designed and built semi-heavy submarine within the next few months.

Head of the Iranian Navy’s Industrial Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization Rear Admiral Ali Gholamzadeh said on Friday that the watercraft will be put on display by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (ending March 20, 2014).

“Under adopted measures, many light submarines are currently being manufactured in the country,” Gholamzadeh stated.

He further noted that Iran, relying on the knowledge and expertise of its own professionals, has managed to perform much better than countries globally renowned in the production and overhaul of various submarines, particularly the semi-heavy ones.

Gholamzadeh said the Iranian Navy has lunched numerous destroyers, including Jamaran, and is developing newer versions of the indigenous destroyer.

The senior Iranian Navy official added that the country’s naval forces have effective presence in open seas in order to protect and ensure maritime security for ships and vessels.

Iran has so far launched different classes of advanced submarines including Fateh, Ghadir, Qaem and Nahang.

In September 2012, Iran’s Navy launched the super-heavy Tareq 901 submarine overhauled by Iranian experts.

Ghadir submarine was first unveiled in 2007. The 120-ton submarine has excellent shallow depth performance and can conduct prolonged coastal missions and launch torpedoes.

Over the recent years, Iran has made significant breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.

Tehran has repeatedly assured other nations that its military might poses no threat to other countries, saying that the Islamic Republic’s defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.