Iran commissions locally built submarine (PHOTOS)

By: Associated Press ^

[Khashayar]

Iran on Sunday commissioned its second domestically built submarine, a craft that can fire missiles and torpedoes simultaneously, state-run radio reported.

The report said the submarine, named Ghadir, was Iran's second homemade submarine, and was unveiled during the third day of military maneuvers in southern Iran.

Iran's armed forces began their biggest military maneuvers Friday in the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean on Iran's territorial waters close to Pakistan and involved submarines, warships, missiles, jet fighters and gunships.

In May, Iran officially launched the production of the locally built submarine, claiming it was a stealth craft.

Its name, Ghadir, is derived from a site in the Arabian Peninsula holy to Shiite Muslims, the overwhelming majority of Iran's 69 million people.

Iran produces the Shahab-3 missile, capable of reaching Israel and U.S. forces stationed in the region. Since 1992, it also has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane.

[Khashayar]

Iran's KILO Class subs

[ReignOfError]

Diesel electric subs are extremely quiet and the waters of the Persian gulf are very difficult for sub detecting gear. Iranian subs could pose a threat to shipping there.

We're not talking about Cold War submarine tactics here; there's no need to be that subtle. If they manage to run silent, hammer 'em with active sonar until their fillings fall out and their ears bleed. What are they going to do about it?

[BigCinBigD]

It will make a nice reef.

[AmericaUnited]

Yes, this is a one shot deal and then it's on the bottom.

[FreedomPoster]

Bingo. Exactly how this should be viewed.

[MNJohnnie]

No, it is not much of a threat to the Aircraft Carriers. It's good for use in the Persian Gulf since it a shallow body of water. When running on electric it is actually quieter then a nuke but it has short range before it has to recharge it's batteries. That is really noisy so it would be highly vulnerable to do that in open water. The Aircraft carriers operate in the Indian Ocean. In the event of a war with Iran, we would picket the Strait with Anti Sub platforms and waste these subs as they came out.

[MNJohnnie]

Only when it moves will it be noisy.

Close but not quite. Only when it runs on battery power will it be quite. It can move on battery power but the range is limited. These are the perfect weapon for use in the Persian Gulf. The Gulf is shallow. Makes using a nuke boat tough in the Gulf.

[Smokin' Joe]

Actually, there may be evidence that it was run down by another ship, going to the aid of the one it sank. Earlier, though, the Hunley did go through a couple of crews during development, iirc.

[penelopesire]

Yep. Another interesting side note from the article:

"The report said the submarine, named Ghadir, was Iran's second homemade submarine, and was unveiled during the third day of military maneuvers in southern Iran."

Ghadir(according to a quick google)was the site of the last message and pilgrimage of the 'prophet', where he chose his successor and hence first leader of the caliph. Seems to be a bone of contention between the sunnis and shia as to what the Ghadir passage in the Quran means.

So, in essense, Iran is thumbing it's nose to the Sunnis naming this submarine Ghadir.

[johnny7]

Well... shiverrrrrr me timberrrrrrrs!

[rodguy911]

Makes you wonder if the N. Koreans and the Ruskies weren't just selling replaceable targets to the not so bright iranians to begin with. Extremely good for the arms business, don'tcha just know.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Only when it moves will it be noisy.

Same is true with a bus. :-)

[Smokin' Joe]

The hull looks noisy in the pics. Without going into detail, just think of what you would not want on the bottom of your bass boat. Shallow water creates problems, too, from an OPFOR standpoint.

[solitas]

Good point. It doesn't have to fire torpedoes as long as it can stay down a decent length of time, run fairly quietly, have a good cruising range, and carry a suicide-nuke.

[Jimmy Valentine]

Oh, wow! Thanks for the memories! I had one of those as well as a baking powder frogman!

They actually ran better if you used Alka Seltzer instead of baking powder. Went up and down like crazy!

[MNJohnnie]

The Italians managed to sink a major British combatant in an Egyptian harbor during WWII in a contraption significantly less sophisticated than this sub. Can't remember the details though.

The Italians sent in swimmers running what amounted to an over sized torpedo and attached limpet mines to the hulls of 2 or three ships.

[VOYAGER]

"What is this?"

For those who sport fish the Sea of Oman I would suggest for trolling use an ABU GARCIA 5000 with at least 20 pound test line and a deep diving white with black spots BOMBER bait.

You might be lucky enough to get a strike from one of these aquatic freaks and if so play it slowly, boat it, take picture and throw back and try again you might get something worthwhile on your next cast!

One thing I overlooked, be sure to have your reel brake set properly so as not to break you line while in the retreaving mode, after all they are somewhat cumbersome.

I wish you good success and have fun.

[A.Hun]

Check out the guys web page:

http://www.torgo.org/bpsubs/

I remember playing with the frogmen too! They looked so cool on the commercials...

[johnny7]

Doesn't even need a nuke. A sub like this can carry more plastic-explosive than the power-boat that almost blew the Cole in-half.

Suicide is a major component in Iran's military strategy. They used it to 'some' success in their war with Iraq. Think of Iran's military-mentally as you would of Japan's... after the debut of the Kamakaze.