Iran's Search for New Big Ships

[Soroush]

The Iranian navy has several major warships, and is looking for some new ones. Most of the current large ships are found a class of five frigates obtained over three decades ago. Three of these frigates are British-designed Vosper Mk 5s, known as the Saam class. These frigates displace 1,250 tons, and are equipped with a 114mm gun, a twin 35mm gun, three single 20mm guns, two 50-caliber machine guns, two 81mm mortars, a Limbo ASW mortar, two triple 12.75-inch torpedo tubes, and four C-802 anti-ship missiles. The class originally consisted of four frigates, but one of these frigates, the Sahand, was sunk by American forces during Operation Preying Mantis in 1988. A second frigate, the Sabalan, was heavily damaged, but returned to service. The Sabalan reportedly operates under some speed restrictions.

Some new ships have been acquired from Russia. Two frigates are from the Bayandor-class. These 900-ton ships are equipped with two 76mm guns, a twin 40mm gun, two 20mm guns, and two 50-caliber machine guns. Two other sisters were reportedly sunk during the Iran-Iraq war.

These frigates are old in warship terms. The Saam-class vessels are pushing 35 years old. The Bayandor-class vessels are over forty years old. They are way past due for replacement. Iran has already begun acquiring some modern systems from Russia in the form of Kilo-class submarines. Iran has three of these vessels, which displace 3,076 tons submerged, and are equipped with six 21-inch torpedo tubes.

Iran is also looking into new frigates and destroyers. Iran reportedly is trying to design and build a class of destroyer, and reportedly has a class of light frigate in production. Iran also was looking into purchasing Russian frigates from the Steregushchiy-class. These modern frigates displace 1,850 tons, and are equipped with the SS-N-27 anti-ship missile (carrying twelve missiles in a vertical–launch system), three eight-round SA-N-9 missile launchers, a 100mm gun, two 30mm Gatling guns, four 15.75-inch torpedo tubes, and two four-round SA-N-8 launchers.

The Iranian navy has been suffering from years of neglect. Its major units are mostly old, and replacing them will be expensive. The Russian frigates would cost $150 million each. Iran has sought to add a large number of coastal-defense cruise missiles (a mixture of HY-4 Silkworm, C-801, and C-802 missiles). Neglect of a navy can take a while to show signs, but once the signs have shown, making things good will be expensive – a lesson the mullahs are learning the hard way.


http://www.strategypage.com/dls/articles/20061251423.asp


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[Ahmadinejad]

lets just reverse engineer our own versions!

[Soroush]

lets just reverse engineer our own versions!

I don't think there are any left to do, after all that we examined and put what's best for IRIN. The biggest project was probably alvand first then mowj. Steregushchiy-class has the full package and the backing of helicopters.

[Sanchezz]

Iran shouldnt spend money on buying large ships.... in case of a war with the US they would be sunk in matter of days-we all know it. Instead iran should be spending money on antship missiles .. and air defense systems.

[PJPM]

iran should spend alot of money on navy and airforces. just cause it's not good doesn't mean we should spend money on it the whole militry should be balance, it'll get better over time and once it's good US or any other country will attack iran since it has to go persian gulf first.

[Sanchezz]

For closing persian gulf i recommend long range torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.... No navy can stand up to US Navy... evryone knows it.Persian gulf can be closed by laying mines and hitting any ship that tries to pass through with a torpedo or AS-missile ..

[Night]

Iran should spend most of it's money on a strong air force with strong aircraft, like some Su-30mk's. Iran should pull every rescource it has to get some, then spend a lot of money on updating and modernizing her anti air systems.

[Soroush]

Iran should spend most of it's money on a strong air force with strong aircraft, like some Su-30mk's. Iran should pull every rescource it has to get some, then spend a lot of money on updating and modernizing her anti air systems.

I wonder about that too sometimes why were making missiles, navy ships, tanks and other armoured vehicles but not any latest news about the airforce. It could be that were already working on our own projects or our first priority is SAMS and BM.

[Ahmadinejad]

i dunno, i mean i dont think we should spend everything on the airforce, lets face it, lets say we do buy those su 30s next thing u know they've been blown out of the sky by a f22

[Night]

It still couldn't beat the USAF this is true, but if Iran were to quit it's nuclear program, then a good air force would come in handy.

[Soroush]

It still couldn't beat the USAF this is true, but if Iran were to quit it's nuclear program, then a good air force would come in handy.

That will be something very hard to do. Is like me messing up your room after hard work of cleaning it than you have to do it again. we putted so much time and effort into our nuclear program. quitting it now would be the biggest mistake in the past 18 years we spent on it. and even if we do quit and start buying Su-27/Su-30 It still won't serve well in future warfare against the USAF or other major super powers. 1 nuke can save you from any type of attack/invasion than a couple of sukhois.

[Night]

True, but the sanctions to come in the next few months will be extremely harmfull to the Iranian economy.

The West has made it crystal clear that Iran will not get nuclear weapons, even if the west has to use force to make sure of it. Iran's continued development (good or bad depending on your views) will lead to attack and more sanctions. It is possible, that Iran could follow the path of N. Korea.

So, if Iran quit development of nuclear weapons, and started up relations with the U.S. again, not only will their be peace with Iran, Iran's economy could grow to it's full potential and become a larger power in the middle east :D

[arctic]

iran air force is not good. even eygpt and jorden can beat IIAF with no problem.

does iran have SU30 ?
right now the best jet in iran is the mig29.

[Sanchezz]

Egypt can maybe beat IIAF but jordan ... no way ..

[SS_Charlemagne]

True, but the sanctions to come in the next few months will be extremely harmfull to the Iranian economy.

The West has made it crystal clear that Iran will not get nuclear weapons, even if the west has to use force to make sure of it. Iran's continued development (good or bad depending on your views) will lead to attack and more sanctions. It is possible, that Iran could follow the path of N. Korea.

So, if Iran quit development of nuclear weapons, and started up relations with the U.S. again, not only will their be peace with Iran, Iran's economy could grow to it's full potential and become a larger power in the middle east :D

Sanctions? What sanctions? there had been an embargo and sanctions for many years and now Iran is near to be capable to make the Bomb - if don't have it yet...

[SS_Charlemagne]

iran air force is not good. even eygpt and jorden can beat IIAF with no problem.

does iran have SU30 ?
right now the best jet in iran is the mig29.

Not only the planes and the number of planes are important, but also the pilots and the training. And, for what some people claims, Iran possibly have a number of Su-27 and perhaps some Su-30. And of course, a significant number of upgraded F-14, F-5, F-4 and MiG-29.

[arctic]

Egypt can maybe beat IIAF but jordan ... no way ..

egypt army is way better then iran army. not just their airforce.

iran does not have su 27 and 30. if yes, prove me .

[javid khan]

Egypt hav vast numbers of F16s fighting falcons the numbers are around 200 but none are BVR.

[arctic]

huh ? they have BVR missile, better radars.
better army, not just better air force.

[Janbaz]

Lets not change the argument of who's armies is better than Iran. You can even say that Bangaladesh Airforce is better than Iran, so what????

The point is, Nuclear technology (not Nuclear Weapons) is the right of every nation in the world, and I am 110% behind Iranian decision to come up with this technology.
At the moment, Every city in Iran has minimum of 3 hours electricity cutoff per day. Also, Iran is selling Electircity to negburing countires (Pakistan, Azarbayjan, Iraq, Armenia, and Trukey) so Iran is in desperate need of power generation other than the fossile fule for it is civilian.
Iran has passed a law that number of cars that are building in iran with hybraid technology much be 10% starting from next year, and each year 5% more must be added to it. So they are taking steps from user side.
The Oil will be out (more/less in 35) years, we must invest heavily on Nuclear technology that is INDEPENDET of foriegn supplier. So Go Iran.

[Sanchezz]

The EAF Today
Egyptian F-16s flying in close formation next to the Pyramids.
Enlarge
Egyptian F-16s flying in close formation next to the Pyramids.

Currently, the backbone of the EAF is over 220 F-16s, making Egypt the 4th largest F-16 operator in the world. The Mirage 2000 is the other modern interceptor used by the EAF. It continues to fly MiG-21s, F-7 Skybolts, 35 upgraded F-4 Phantoms, Il-28s, Dassault Mirage Vs, C-130 Hercules plus a large inventory of older Chinese and Russian fighters among other planes. These are well supported by 6 E-2C Hawkeye AWACS aircraft which are being upgraded to the new and highly advanced Hawkeye 2000 standard.

Egypt remains the largest aircraft producer in the Arab world. The country's aviation industry manufactures or assembles Alpha Jet trainers, Gazelle helicopters, and Tucano Turboprop trainers. Parts are also built for the Mirage 2000 and the F-16 as well as for older Soviet aircraft.
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Insignia

The Roundel of the EAF consists of three circles, with the outside one being red, the middle one white, and the inner one being black. These are the colors of Pan-Arabism. The fins of aircraft carry the flag of Egypt.
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Aircraft
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Fighter Aircraft

* Dassault Mirage 2000
* Dassault Mirage V
* F-4E Phantom
* F-6
* F-7 Skybolt (partially Egyptian built. 12 believed in service with Western AAM)
* F-16 Fighting Falcon A/B/C/D/E
* Il-28 (retired from service)
* L-29
* L-59
* MiG-15 "Fagot" (retired)
* MiG-21 (modernized Western AAM)
* MiG-17 (retired)
* MiG-19 "Farmer" (retired/reserve)
* MiG-21 "Fishbed"(a contemporary of the F-4 Phantom II, 1960)
* MiG-23 (retired from service)
* Su-7 (retired from service)
* Tupolev Tu-16 (retired from service)

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Transport/Utilities/Reconnaissance

* C-130 Hercules
* E-2 Hawkeye
* Grumman Gulfstream I
* Teledyne Ryan's M-324 UAV (custom-designed according to EAF requirements with a total of 56 produced and delivered)
* Beechcraft B1900C
* Hawkeye AEW
* Beechcraft ECM
* Shabarbar

[edit]

Trainers

* Alpha Jet (advanced trainer / close ground support)
* Al Gomhuria
* K-8 Trainer
* Tucano
* GROB G 115E/EG

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Helicopters

* Aérospatiale Gazelle
* AH-1 Cobra
* CH-47 Chinook
* McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache S
* McDonnell Douglas AH-64D Apache Longbow
* Mil Mi-8
* Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
* Sikorsky UH-3 Sea King (also known as Sikorsky S-61)
* SH-2 Seasprite (SH-2GE)

[edit]

Future of the Egyptian Air Force

The Egypt Air Force just recently ordered the rebuilding of their AH-64A's into the D model. CH-47D's are also on order. The Egyptian Navy recently received the SH-2G's as replacement/addition to the Sea King and Gazelle helicopters. The trainer fleet is being modernized by an order for 68 Grob-115's, and for the K-8 Karakorum. The Grob's and K-8 are still being delivered.

Next to these orders there is still a big wish-list which will be on hold due to budgetary constraints. Most likely the C-130's will be among the first to be replaced in the short future.

In the late 1990's, then Air Marshal Ahmed Shafik (and the incumbent Civil Aviation minister) expressed the ambitions of the Egyptian Air Force for the 21st century. The EAF hopes to obtain the modern technology it needs to deter any aggression, help its allies, and protect Egyptian national security. This technology includes space and air reconnaissance systems; airborne command and control aircraft; advanced stealth fighters such as the F-22; and air refueling and heavy transport aircraft.

[Xerxes]

Not only the planes and the number of planes are important, but also the pilots and the training. And, for what some people claims, Iran possibly have a number of Su-27 and perhaps some Su-30. And of course, a significant number of upgraded F-14, F-5, F-4 and MiG-29.

hahahah

iran air force, though not a match for IAF, will send to Jordan's Air Force to the nearest junkyard and can put up a good challenge against that of Egypt. and no we do not possess any Su-30 and Su-27 and other from the renowned Flanker family.

iran did it best to operate its fleet of 200+ F-4 phantom due immense problems in the early 80s. by constrast when the Egyptien Air Force got hold of F-4E Phantom II, only 12 of them at that point, it took them a LONG while to get those brand new planes operational without the American advisors. This is not a bashing of Egyptien Armed Force, just a fact. personnally i have tremoundous respect for the Egyptien Armed Force due to the 1973 Octobre War.

[fastball]

:rawrrrrr3: iran should put more money into helping the people of iran.

[MrWanted]

:rawrrrrr3: iran should put more money into helping the people of iran.Defending their people is more important. And they already subsidize almost all kind of consumption, from water to energy to food. Thanks for your concerns. NOT