Iranian Navy Gets Two New Ghadir-class Mini-submarines

The Iranian navy has received two home-grown new Ghadir-class mini submarines designed for operations in shallow waters such as the Persian Gulf.

One of the submarines was built in 18 months. The other, previously built took 10 months to overhaul, Associated Press reported quoting Iran’s state-TV Thursday.

The TV report says the two Ghadir-class submarines have sonar-evading technology and can launch missiles from under water, as well as fire torpedoes and drop marine mines. Iran began manufacturing Ghadir subs in 2005. The first was unveiled in 2007 and by 2012, five such submarines were incorporated into Iran’s navy.

Midget submarines weigh less than 150 metric tons and are used for short missions, with no living accommodations for a crew of up to nine.

Iran has so far launched different classes of domestically-built advanced submarines including Ghadir, Qaem, Nahang, Tareq and Sina, PressTV reported Thursday.