Nahang-class submarine

The Nahang (Persian: نهنگ‎, lit. 'Whale') is an Iranian-made class of midget submarine designed for shallow water operations. Only one prototype of this class is known to be completed, although its characteristics have remained unclear.

For the submarine with tentative name IIS Nahang (SS 102), see USS Wahoo (SS-565).
Class overview
Name: Nahang
Builders: Marine Industries Organization
Operators: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
Succeeded by: Ghadir class
Completed: 1
Cancelled: 2
Active: 1
General characteristics
Type: Midget submarine
Length: ≈ 25 m (82 ft)
Beam: ≈ 3 m (9.8 ft)
Draft: ≈ 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)

History

Iran had shown interest in midget submarines in the 1980s.[1] According to the Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships, Iran assembled a midget in Bandar Abbas that was completed in 1987 in an unsuccessful attempt.[1] Iran reportedly purchased a second midget of another design from North Korea, delivered in 1988.[1] It is alleged that by 1993, nine midget submarines –able to displace 76 tons surfaced and 90 tons submerged, with a top speed between 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) and 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)– were imported from North Korea.[1]

Existence of Nahang was first known in April 2006.[2] On 6 March 2006, Iranian state television announced that Nahang 1 has been commissioned into the Southern Fleet.[3] Later that year in late August, she participated in the third phase of Zarbat-e Zolfaghar wargame.[4]

Two other submarines in the class were allegedly planned, but building further units is considered unlikely.[2]

In April 2017, Bellingcat reported that for the first time in years, satellite imagery suggests Nahang had been deployed for a mission.[5]

Description

There is not much confidently known about characteristics of the class.[2] According to Jane's Fighting Ships, the class displaces 100 tonnes (98 long tons) when at the surface and 115 tonnes (113 long tons) while submerged.[2] Alternate estimates for surfaced and submerged displacement are 110 tonnes (110 long tons) and 127 tonnes (125 long tons) respectively[6] while the number given goes as high as 500 tonnes (490 long tons).[7]

Jane's mentions the approximate dimensions as 25 m (82 ft) for length, with a beam of 3 m (9.8 ft) and a draft of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in).[2] 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph)[6] and 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph)[8] are top speeds reported for the submarine. Nahang is reportedly unarmed and not fitted with torpedoes,[2][9] however there are contradicting reports suggesting it has a pair of 533mm torpedo tubes in drop collars and can carry and lay four MDM-6 or EM-52 naval mines.[6] Nahang may be utilized as a mothership for swimmer delivery vehicles[2] and a platform for special operations.[9]

The submarine has no sonar on the report of Jane's,[2] but another account suggests that she is equipped with active/passive sonar on her bow.[6] The machinery installed for propulsion is unknown.[2] Other apparatus reportedly installed include a mast with electronic warfare support capabilities (similar to Russian-made 'Stop Light' type) and surface search and navigation radar.[6]

See also

References
  1. Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen; Budzbon, Przemysaw, eds. (1996), "Iran", Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships: 1947–1995, Conway Maritime Press, p. 185, ISBN 978-1557501325
  2. 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. 382, ISBN 9780710631435, OCLC 919022075
  3. "New Iranian submarine joins naval fleet", BBC Monitoring Middle East, 6 March 2006, ProQuest 458674805
  4. "Naval stage of Iran's Zarbat-e Zolfaghar military exercises completed", BBC Monitoring Middle East, 29 August 2006, ProQuest 458658135
  5. Biggers, Chris (27 April 2017), "Shahid Nazeri Deploys Near the Strait", Bellingcat, retrieved 15 July 2020
  6. Cordesman, Anthony (2015), "The Iranian Sea-Air-Missile Threat to Gulf Shipping" (PDF), Center for Strategic and International Studies, p. 98, ISBN 978-1-4422-4077-3
  7. "Iran releases new military submarine and frigate into water", Trend News Agency, McClatchy - Tribune Business News, 29 August 2006, ProQuest 1040836482
  8. Nadimi, Farzin (April 2020), "Iran's Evolving Approach to Asymmetric Naval Warfare: Strategy and Capabilities in the Persian Gulf" (PDF), The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (Policy Focus) (164), Appendix B: IRIN’s Major Operational Naval Vessels, p. 57, retrieved 15 July 2020
  9. Iranian Naval Forces: A Tale of Two Navies (PDF), Office of Naval Intelligence, February 2017, p. 31, ISBN 978-0160939686
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