Alvand-class frigate
 A starboard view of the Iranian destroyer escort IIS Saam (DE-71), redesignated IRS Alvand (F-71) | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Alvand class |
| Builders: | |
| Operators: |
 Islamic Republic of Iran Navy |
| Succeeded by: | Moudge class |
| Building: | 0 |
| Completed: | 4 |
| Active: | 3 |
| Lost: | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Frigate |
| Displacement: | 1,100 tons (1,540 tons full load) |
| Length: | 94.5 m (310 ft) |
| Beam: | 11.07 m (36.3 ft) |
| Draught: | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Propulsion: | 2 Paxman Ventura cruising diesels 3,800 bhp (2,800 kW), and 2 Rolls Royce Olympus TM-3A boost gas turbines 46,000 shp (34,000 kW) on 2 shafts |
| Speed: | 17 knots (31 km/h) on diesels; 39 knots (72 km/h) on gas turbines |
| Range: | 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h) |
| Complement: | 125-146 |
| Armament: |
|
The Alvand class was originally a class of four frigates known as the Saam class built for the pre-revolutionary Iranian Navy. They were renamed the Alvand class after the Iranian Revolution.
Three remain in service since the fourth was sunk by the US Navy in 1988 during the Iran-Iraq War.
Development & Building
The ships were built in the UK by Vosper Ltd and based on their Mark 5 design with the following arms & equipment:-[1]
- ASuW - 1 × quintiple Sea Killer Mk2 surface-to-surface missile
- AAW - 1 × triple Sea Cat surface-to-air missile launcher
- ASW 1 × 3 barrelled Anti Submarine Mortar Mark 10 Limbo launcher
- Guns - 1 × Mark 8 Mod 0 4.5 inch general purpose & 1 × twin 35mm Oerlikon AA
- Electronics - Plessey AWS 1 air surveillance radar with on-mounted IFF; 2 × Contravenes Seahunter systems (For use with Sea cat, Sea Killer & the 35mm mount); Decca RDL 1 passive direction finding equipment
They were refitted in the UK shortly before the 1979 Iranian Revolution.[2]
History
The ships were originally named after characters from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, but after the Islamic Revolution they were renamed after mountains in Iran.[3]
They saw action during the "Tanker War" phase of the Iran–Iraq War and proved effective against Iraqi forces. However, after one was sunk, and other significant losses taken, during Operation Praying Mantis they saw little further use as the Iranian Navy proved no match for the US Navy.[4]
Upgrades
The Sea Killer missiles were replaced by Chinese made C-802s in the 1990s, and the Sea Cats replaced by the addition of a 20mm AA gun leaving remaining ships with practically no effective anti-aircraft ability.
2 × triple 12.75 in torpedo tubes, 2 × 81 mm mortars & 2 × 0.50 cal machine guns were also fitted.[3]
Successors
The Moudge-class frigate is a modified Iranian-built version of the Alvand class, with five either in service or building.[5]
Ships in the class
| Ship | Pennant Number | Builder | Launched | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alvand - ex-Saam | 71 (ex- DE 12) | Vosper Thornycroft | 1968 | In Service |
| Alborz - ex-Zaal | 72 (ex DE 14) | Vickers | 1969 | In Service |
| Sabalan - ex-Rostam | 73 (ex DE 16) | Vickers | 1969 | In Service |
| Sahand - ex-Faramarz | 74 (ex DE 18) | Vosper Thornycroft | 1969 | sunk on 18 April 1988. |
See also
References
- ↑ Moore, John Jane's Fighting Ships, 1974–75, pub Jane's Publishing Co Ltd, 1975, ISBN 0-354-00506-5-page 175.
- ↑ John Pike. "Global Security.". Retrieved 11 November 2014.
- 1 2 Military Factory.
- ↑ "BBC 10 January 2012.". BBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
- ↑ "New Wars.". New Wars. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alvand class frigate. |
Sources
- http://www.iinavy.org/faramarz.htm
- http://www.mafhoum.com/press8/237P2.pdf
- http://www.ii.uj.edu.pl/~artur/enc/F2.htm
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