Iran Navy To Develop Anti-Ship Phalanx Weapon System

Iran has plans to manufacture a homegrown version of the Phalanx, a close-in weapon system (CIWS) on board military vessels for defense against anti-ship missiles, Tasnim News Agency reported Saturday.

“The research work has now started on the Phalanx system to build its Iranian model,” Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari was quoted as saying by the agency. .

“The Western type of the Phalanx system is the most advanced one, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will also move to produce that system definitely,” the commander added.

The Phalanx consists of a radar-guided Gatling gun mounted on a swiveling base and it has been used by multiple Navies around the world, notably by the US Navy on every class of surface combat ship.

Iranian experts have already produced a Gatling gun, dubbed “Moharram”. The six-barrel weapon is a 50 caliber firearm with the high rate of fire of 2,000-2,500 rounds per minute.

The fast machine gun can also be mounted on a broad range of military vehicles, choppers, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), warships and destroyers.