Iran Develops Missile Boat, Looks to Build Blue Water Navy
Iranian media outlets have reported that as part of its plan to enhance its maritime defence, Iran has developed an advanced, indigenously constructed Sina-class missile boat. Iran’s defence minister claims that the ship is equipped with radar, weapons, electronic and telecommunication systems, as well as advanced navigation technology.
Iran purchased 12 Combattante II missile boats from France, delivered between 1974 and 1981. These 275 ton displacement boats, officially named Kaman in Iranian service, have a top speed of 37.5 knots. They represented some of Iran’s most modern vessels of Western origin. Two were lost in combat, one to Iraqi forces in 1980 and another to US forces in 1988.
The main armament of these ships was in the form of a four round missile launcher and a 76mm OTO-Melara automatic cannon. The anti-ship missiles were originally the RGM-84 Harpoon, but have since been replaced by the locally produced Noor, a license produced copy of the Chinese C-802 missile.
These missile boats remained an important part of the Iranian naval forces as of 2008, and had led to earlier developments announced in 2003 to develop a locally produced version. The first of these Sina -class missile boats, are locally produced Iranian versions of the Kaman, entered service in 2006. Iran had two of these boats in service by 2008, with another in production[now launched]. These boats appear identical to the modified Kamans with the exception of the radar radome.
The Iranian navy is transforming from a littoral force into a blue water force, according to Iranian Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari.
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