Seraj

Seraj-1 is a military speed boat manufactured by Iran.^[1][2] It is based on the British made Bradstone Challenger, a Bladerunner 51, which holds the record for the fastest circumnavigation of Britain.^[3] Militarized speed boats have been the core of the Iranian military doctorine since their commanders believe that speed boats can counter USA's massive warships.^[4]

History

Sales of Bladerunner 51 were blocked to Iran by the west; however, in 2009, Iran managed to obtain one from a South African arms dealer.^[2] Iran created its militarized version of Bladerunner 51, named Seraj-1, in 2010.^[5] The designer of Bladerunner, Lorne Campbell, expressed his frustration that Iran has copied his design.^[2] Commander of IRGC Naval Force, Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said that the Seraj-1 will be mass-produced from March 2011 to March 2012.^[4] Fadavi has also announced that Irans navy aims to increase the speed of the militarized boats to 80-85 knots in the near future and even up to 100 knots thereafter.^[4] These planned speed boats would most probably be named Seraj-2, Seraj-3 etc., since boats with that speed and the stability to carry weapons would depend on the Seraj-1 design.

Specification

Defence minister Ahmad Vahidi has stated that "Seraj-1, with a fiberglass bodywork, can shoot rockets and it is equipped with an electronic navigation system."^[6]  Seraj-1 also possesses radar-evading capabilities.^[7]  The Seraj-1 is equipped with a 107 mm MRLS and bow mounted DShK 12.7 mm HMG.^[8]  An advantage of the Seraj-1 is that, just like the Bladerunner 51, it is very stable at high speeds in rough seas, thereby creating a stable platform to fire weapons.^[2]  Consequently Ahmad Vahidi described the Seraj-1 as, "(A) vessel (which) is a fast and offensive rocket launcher designed for regions with tropical weather."^[5]  As it is based on the Bladerunner 51, the Seraj-1 is probably capable of speeds between 55 knots (63 mph) and 72 knots (83 mph).^[1]

References