Key Points – Iran’s submarine force, while not as powerful as its Western counterparts, is a critical component of its asymmetric naval strategy designed to counter superior adversaries in the Persian Gulf.
-The fleet is a mix of three large Russian-built Kilo-class submarines for deeper waters, one or two more modern, indigenously built Fateh-class coastal submarines, and a large number of Ghadir-class midget submarines ideal for shallow-water ambushes.
-While Iran has made strides in domestic production and has successfully test-fired a cruise missile from a Ghadir sub, its overall force is small and would likely be quickly eliminated in a direct confrontation with the US Navy.
How Dangerous is Iran’s Submarine Force?
The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) currently possesses a submarine force of between 19 and 27 vessels. These subs are considered critical military assets due to Iran’s dependence on the Persian Gulf for trade and security.
Other than operations inside the Gulf, Iran’s naval forces operate in the Caspian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
The main operational submarine force consists of only four conventional-size diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs) and 15 to 23 mini-submarines (SSMs).
Like other branches of the Iranian armed services, the IRIN began under the Shahanshah as the Imperial Iranian Navy, which existed prior to 1979. Just as there is an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, there is also an IRGC Naval Force, which serves as a shadow naval force in addition to the IRIN. However, the IRIN is the sole operator of Iran’s submarine fleet.
From 1992 to 1996, Iran commissioned three Kilo-class (also known as Tareq-class in Iran) diesel-electric submarines, originally built in Russia. Iran is reported to have paid Moscow US $600 million for each boat. The vessels are all currently based at Bandar Abbas in the Strait of Hormuz, where two of these models are operational at any time. Iran has also reportedly had trouble maintaining them in service.
These submarines are also occasionally deployed in the eastern mouth of the Strait, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea. Their operational utility in the Persian Gulf is also somewhat limited as Kilo-class boats require a depth of at least 164 feet in which to operate. Therefore, only about one-third of the Gulf would be accessible to them.
The unique water conditions in the Gulf, such as high water salinity and strong currents, create additional constraints. This further limits the boats’ operational use unless they are deployed to the deeper waters found in the Gulf of Oman or the Arabian Sea.
Iran reportedly has also built two smaller Fateh-class diesel-electric coastal submarines, one of which the IRIN officially commissioned on 17 February 2019. This boat measures 48 meters long, and its estimated top speed is between 14 and 23 knots. Its displacement is around 600 tons, and like the Kilo-class, the Fateh boats have six 533mm tubes for torpedoes and ASCMs and can lay mines.
Mini and Besat/Qaem Submarines
In 2007, Iran began to deploy small Ghadir-class and Nahang-class mini-submarines for use in shallow coastal waters. The reports on the number of operational Ghadir-class submarines range from 12 to 22, but in 2019, the US Defense Intelligence Agency estimated that Iran was operating 14 of this type.
These submarines are armed with two 533mm tubes for firing torpedoes or Jask-2 anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM). Iran also reportedly operates one Nahang midget submarine, which became operational in 2007.
Iran also began construction of the Besat diesel-electric submarines in 2008. According to the Iranian press, these submarines are designed to have a displacement weight of 1300 tons and are equipped with six torpedo tubes. However, these submarines have yet to enter service.
Other Ambitions
Historically, Iran has purchased submarines from foreign suppliers, including China, North Korea, and Russia. In recent years, Iran has been expanding its industrial base, which was established during the Shahanshah era, specifically the Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex Co. (ISOICO), located 37 km west of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan.
This facility has become the country’s major shipbuilder for both domestic and military needs. Since 2005, Iran has built and maintained all its submarines autonomously. Iran is also actively expanding and modernizing its submarine force.
Initially, none of Iran’s submarines were capable of firing ballistic or cruise missiles. Starting in the 1990s, Iran began a program to acquire or domestically produce mines and torpedoes for its entire submarine fleet.
In 2005, Iran reportedly established two local production lines for the 533mm and 324mm wake-homing torpedoes, which had ranges of up to 20 kilometers. Iran has since developed ballistic and cruise missile technology for its submarine force.
On 24 February 2019, Iran test-fired a cruise missile from one of its Ghadir-class minisubs. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) claims the Tareq and the Fateh submarines have the same capability.
In 2018, Iranian officials announced plans to build nuclear-powered submarines, but technology and international sanctions have kept Iran from making much progress here.
Iran is also planning to modernize the capabilities of its diesel submarines by retrofitting them with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems.
Iran’s Submarines in 4 Words: They Would Be ‘Sunk’
There is little sign thus far that Iran is prepared to commit this force to the current conflict with Israel and the US. While these submarines do represent a force with increasingly advanced capabilities, there are limited numbers of these platforms.
It is more than likely that they were to attack the US or other modern naval forces in the Gulf. They would be eliminated in short order.
About the Author:
Reuben F. Johnson is a survivor of the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and is an Expert on Foreign Military Affairs with the Fundacja im. Kazimierza Pułaskiego in Warsaw. He has been a consultant to the Pentagon, several NATO governments, and the Australian government in the fields of defense technology and weapon systems design. Over the past 30 years, he has resided in and reported from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Brazil, the People’s Republic of China, and Australia.
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