It is well known that Iran does not have long-range large combat ships, but it knows how to help itself in one way or another. It demonstrated this to high-ranking military leaders in mid-July and reported on it in the state media. This coincided with the American warning that Russia wanted to stock up on drones in Iran for the war against Ukraine.
Small helicopter landing ship "Tonb", Hengam class, Iran. Photo: State media
Marine solution - robust and simple
The Iranian navy has now presented its solution to the operational problem: The amply dimensioned landing platform on one of the four aged, small helicopter landing ships (LSLH) of the Hengam class (1974/1985, 2,600 tonnes) has been equipped across its entire width and length with countless launch pads for various reconnaissance, combat and "kamikaze" drones.
Small helicopter landing ship "Larak", Hengam class, Iran. Photo: State media
The maths is simple: the ships have a range of 2,000 nautical miles - the Iranian drones have a range of (allegedly) 1,000 nautical miles - making an effective radius of 3,000 miles! That covers an area stretching from Indonesia via Madagascar to Italy. In addition, submarines of the Fateh and Tareq classes (500-tonne, 3,000-tonne Kilo class) have been equipped with vertical take-off drones.
Drone forge Iran
Iran has an extensive arsenal of drones of all types. The Islamic Republic openly boasts that it is one of the five leading nations in the world when it comes to drone technology. The names range from Pelican, Homa, Arash (loitering munition), Chamrosh and Jubin, to Abail-4 and Bavar-5. The possibilities of this explosive mixture were demonstrated to Iran's own military leadership in mid-July in the Arabian Sea between Pakistan and Oman.
International network
"We are facing a harsh and complicated hybrid warfare. We must be prepared for such a war!" said the Chief of Staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, justifying Iran's increased activities in the use of drones.
Iranian drone base. Photo: State media
Iranian drones have appeared in Yemen, but are also in use in Iraq and Syria, as well as in Sudan. Incidentally, Iranian drones are also manufactured in Tajikistan - a counterpoint to the Chinese-made drones in the neighbouring countries Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Furthermore The facilities there are more secure against Israeli pre-emptive strikes than in Iran itself.
Of course, all of this has not gone unnoticed by the Russian military leadership, which has not just now shown an interest in Iranian technology!
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