Iran Submarine Capabilities

The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) commands a submarine force of 19-27 vessels. The IRIN plays a crucial strategic role in Iran’s national security architecture due to the country’s dependence on the Persian Gulf for trade and security. Besides the Persian Gulf, Iran’s naval forces also operate in the Caspian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.

Total Submarines in Fleet: 19-27¹

• Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs): 0
• Nuclear-Powered attack submarines (SSNs): 0
• Diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs): 4
• Mini Submarines (SSMs): 15-23
• Air-independent propulsion (AIP) enabled: 0

The IRIN developed from the shah’s Imperial Iranian Navy, which existed prior to the 1979 revolution and was designed to demonstrate the power and prestige of the shah’s Iran.² Currently, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani commands the IRIN.³ Iran possesses a second naval force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, but the IRIN is currently the sole operator of Iran’s submarine fleet.⁴

From 1992 to 1996, Iran commissioned three Kilo-class (called Tareq-class in Iran) diesel-electric submarines built in Russia. Iran reportedly paid $600 million USD for each boat. The vessels are all currently based at Bandar Abbas in the Strait of Hormuz, where two of the submarines are operational at any time. These submarines are occasionally deployed in the eastern mouth of the Strait, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea.⁵ Their utility in the Persian Gulf is, however, somewhat limited as Kilo-class boats require a depth of at least 164 feet and can therefore only access about one third of the Gulf.⁶ Unique water conditions in the Gulf such as water salinity and strong currents further limit the boats’ operational use unless the submarines are deployed to deeper waters in the Gulf of Oman or the Arabian Sea.⁷

In 2007, Iran began deployments of small Ghadir-class and Nahang-class mini submarines for use in shallow coastal waters. Reports on the number of operating Ghadir-class submarines range from 12 to 22, but in 2019, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency estimated that Iran possessed 14 such submarines.⁸ These vessels possess two 533mm tubes for firing torpedoes or Jask-2 anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM).⁹ Iran also reportedly operates one Nahang midget submarine, which became operational in 2007.¹⁰

Iran is actively expanding and modernizing its submarine fleet. Originally, none of Iran’s submarines were capable of firing ballistic or cruise missiles. Starting in the 1990s, Iran launched a program to acquire or domestically produce mines and torpedoes for all its subsurface boats.¹¹ In 2005 it reportedly launched two local production lines of 533mm and 324mm wake-homing torpedoes with ranges of up to 20km.¹² Iran has since developed ballistic and cruise missile technology for its submarines. On 24 February 2019, Iran successfully test-fired a cruise missile from one of its Ghadir-class vessels. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) claims the Tareq and the Fateh submarines have the same capability.¹³

In June 2012, an Iranian official asserted that scientists were in “the initial phases of manufacturing atomic submarines.”¹⁴ Despite delays, Iran claimed its success in retrofitting one of the imported Kilo-class submarines (after Russia had declined to do so) was evidence of the country’s advancing submarine development capability.¹⁵ In September 2017, Iran’s naval command said that the country’s nuclear agency was beginning to produce nuclear reactors for fueling and propulsion systems.¹⁶ However, many analysts assert that manufacturing a nuclear reactor for submarine use is beyond Iran’s current capabilities and is simply a response to increased U.S. sanctions after the U.S. withdrawal from the JPCOA.¹⁷

Iran is also experimenting with submersibles, unmanned vessels, and other submarines. The Sabehat-15 GPS-equipped two-seat submersible swimmer delivery vehicle (SDV)—designed by the Esfahan Underwater Research Center—has undergone testing with both the IRIN and the IRGCN. Due to their limited endurance and payload, SDVs are primarily used for mining, reconnaissance, and special operations in coastal waters.¹⁸ In March 2022, the IRGC displayed unmanned underwater vehicles for reconnaissance.¹⁹ In the future, the IRGC plans to operate new crewed submarines as well, historically the purview of the IRIN.²⁰

Ship Biographies

Tareq-Class (Kilo-Class)

Iran’s three Tareq-class diesel-electric submarines were built in Russia. These submarines are 74 meters long with a 10 meter beam and can travel up to 17 knots when submerged. They have six 533mm tubes for torpedoes and ASCMs, and they can also lay mines.²¹ Iran refitted all three submarines in 2012 but has struggled to maintain them in operation since.²²

Besat/Qaem-Class

Iran started construction of these semi-heavy, diesel-electric vessels in 2008. According to the Iranian press, these submarines will have a displacement weight of 1300 tons and mount six torpedo tubes. However, as of November 2021, these submarines have yet to enter service.²³

Fateh-Class

Iran reportedly has built two Fateh-class diesel-electric coastal submarines, one of which the IRIN officially commissioned on 17 February 2019. It measures 48 meters long and its estimated top speed is between 14 and 23 knots.²⁴ Like the Kilo-class, Fateh has six 533mm tubes for torpedoes and ASCMs and can lay mines.²⁵

Nahang-Class

Iran reportedly possesses one Nahang-class mini-submarines. Iran indigenously built this diesel-electric coastal submarine. Nahang has no torpedo tubes although it may be able to carry mines or torpedoes externally. Its primary mission is likely transporting special operations forces.²⁶

Ghadir-Class

Iran reportedly possesses twenty-three Ghadir-class mini submarines. Iran indigenously built these diesel-electric propulsion submarines capable of firing torpedoes and missiles. The Ghadir-class is also referred to as a sub-class of the Yono-class, suggesting that the submarines may be based on North Korean technology. North Korea may have built he first one or two Iranian Yono-class submarines, but the exact level of North Korean involvement in design and production is unknown.²⁷

Imports

Iran historically relied upon submarine imports from China, North Korea, and Russia but has been increasing its independent capabilities in recent years. In 1973, Iran founded the Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex Co. (ISOICO) 37 km west of Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan, which has become a major shipbuilder for the country.²⁸ Iran has built and maintained all its submarines domestically since 2005.

Exports

Iran is not an exporter of submarines.