Iranian Destroyer, 'Dena' Attracts Customers After Circumnavigating the Globe

Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani announced that several foreign countries have expressed interest in acquiring Iran's Dena destroyer, which recently completed a global circumnavigation.

The vessel, part of the 86th flotilla, completed a circumnavigation of the world without encountering any breakdowns or damage to its antennas, according to the admiral's remarks on Sunday.

Irani highlighted Iran's achievements in developing indigenous maritime methods and navigational techniques, emphasizing the 86th flotilla's uninterrupted contact with Iran throughout its mission. The commander did not specify which countries were interested in purchasing the Dena destroyer.

In addition to discussing foreign interest in the Dena destroyer, Rear Admiral Irani unveiled plans for Iran's naval presence in the Antarctic, providing little detail on the specific nature or timeline of such plans.

The 86th flotilla, comprised of the Dena destroyer and the Makran forward base ship, departed from Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas in September 2022. The flotilla returned in May 2023 after covering 63,000 kilometers of sea routes.

The Dena destroyer, a Mowj-class vessel that joined the Iranian Navy in June 2021, is equipped with anti-ship cruise missiles, torpedoes, and naval cannons.

The Makran, a forward base ship weighing 121,000 tons, is designed to carry five helicopters and provides logistical support for combat warships.

The Mowj-Class frigate "Dena" officially joined the Iranian Navy in June 2021. Based on the Alvand-Class light patrol frigates, it specializes in anti-submarine warfare and countering surface and air threats. With a length of 95 meters, beam of 11.1 meters, draught of 3.25 meters, and displacement of 1,500 tons, it's powered by two 10,000 hp engines, reaching a top speed of 30 knots. The crew comprises 140 members.

Equipped with a sensor suite, including a Plessey AWS-1 radar and navigation radars, the frigate features a variety of armaments, such as Noor or Qader anti-ship missiles, a 76 mm Fajr-27 naval gun, a 40 mm Fath-40 AAA or 30mm Kamand CIWS, 16 tube chaff launchers, two Oerlikon 20mm automatic cannons, four Mehrab SAM, two triple 324 mm torpedoes, and two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns.