Image source: topwar.ru
The new vessels, which entered the arsenal of the IRGC naval forces (the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps), were part of a major modernization that strengthened the country's naval forces in the midst of the worst recession in recent history. Last Thursday, the IRGC held a ceremony of accepting the ship in the port city of Bandar Abbas. The cost of the expansion and modernization project is still kept secret.
The Iranian-made Shahid Mahdavi warship, converted from a commercial vessel, will take center stage in the fleet renewal, along with 99 Ashura and Tarik speedboats, which have been upgraded to small missile boats.
The strengthening of the fleet comes amid growing tensions between Iran and Israel. Iran claims to have deployed more weapons and radars after threats from Israel. Recall that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently said that if the world community does not stop Iran's nuclear weapons program, a world war will begin.
— said the commander of the IRGC Navy Alireza Tangsiri.
According to Tangsiri, the 2,100-ton Shahid Mahdavi, which is 240 meters long and 27 meters wide, is equipped with a radar with a three—dimensional phased array antenna, air defense systems and surface-to-surface missiles, as well as high-tech telecommunications systems.
It is capable of carrying helicopters, UAVs, as well as missile defense and radar systems.
Commander of the IRGC Navy Alireza Tangsiri added that the range of missiles on speedboats is from 10 to 180 kilometers, and, according to him, these ships are being designed with such a function for the first time.
The expansion of the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as its recent joint exercises with the Iranian army, confirm the growing tensions in this region.
