Iran Press/Iran news: In recent years, this force has met its needs by indigenizing various types of ships, missiles, and other naval equipment.
Due to the need to be present at the subsurface and build the necessary equipment such as submarines, Marine Industries of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support in a diligent measure began designing and building light, semi-heavy and heavy submarines and succeeded in an important step to build a semi-weight Fateh-class submarine relying on the expertise and domestic capabilities.
The Fateh- class submarine is in the category of very small submarines in Iran, namely the Ghadir class submarine and the Tareq- class heavy submarine, and it was designed and built to have a submarine that is both powerful and agile." Despite the economic pressure of Western sanctions, Iran is making progress in updating its naval program," the American National Interest reported, referring to the construction of the Fateh submarine.
An Overview of the Fateh (Conqueror) Submarine
In recent years, Iranian military specialists and industries have achieved great success in the field of marine equipment, and in one of their most important maritime achievements, they unveiled the Fateh-class submarine on February 17, 2019.
Fateh submarine, which is the first Iranian semi-heavy submarine with a weight of 527 tons and 412,000 pieces and the result of 4 million and 202,000 hours of efforts of experts and scientists of the Marine Industry Organization of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support in cooperation with the Navy of the Army, universities and knowledge-based centers after the unveiling, it was handed over to the southern fleet of the country's navy.
During the 10-year process of building this submarine, Iranian specialists acquired 76 state-of-the-art technologies, which are completely indigenous and were designed and built by the Marine Industries Organization and affiliated organizations of the Ministry of Defense and knowledge-based companies.
These technologies include advanced sonar systems, electric propulsion, hybrid battle management, surface-to-surface missile guidance systems, torpedo guidance systems, electronic warfare systems, secure and integrated telecommunications systems, and dozens of other modern systems.
About 75% of the equipment and systems used in the Fateh submarine are domestic production and the rest are purchased through the market. This submarine has the ability to stay at sea for 35 days at a depth of more than 200 meters and has a speed between 11 to 14 knots.
Also, the engine of this submarine is of turbo generator type. Using this system can have operational advantages over using a diesel engine for a submarine, including less noise and vibration, higher resistance to shocks, and lower cost over the life cycle.
Electronic propulsion technology, shaft and impeller, and all sealing mechanisms of this submarine are completely indigenous. This submarine has a good speed and can reach the operational area in the shortest possible time.
Features of the Fateh submarine
The Fateh- Middle-Class submarine is designed to be able to attack and defend simultaneously against the enemy surface and submarine vessels.
With 12 different types of sonar, including active and inactive types, Fateh can scan its surroundings and can detect depth, speed, and sound, and even act effectively against enemy diver forces.
With the ESM (Electronic Support Measure) system used in this submarine, Fateh can detect all types of radar waves and telecommunication signals emitted from ships, aircraft, submarines, and other sources and with the help of this system ready to defend itself either prepare for an engagement or provide intelligence support to Iranian vessels on the battlefield. The ESM system includes wave and signal receivers, monitors, and analysis and processing equipment.
The connection of the data of this system with the battle scene management system and the fire control system is the complementary part of its application. Fateh Submarine's multi-purpose telecommunication system is a kind of network-based and hybrid system that can enter the battlefield both individually and in the form of a war flotilla. Features of this system include simultaneous communication with submarines, surface vessels, divers, and aircraft.
One of the important features of the Fateh submarine can be described as equipping it with a system for firing and guiding submarine cruise missiles to the surface because with this capability, there will be no surface target that can escape from this Iranian submarine.
Importantly, this capability, which requires special knowledge, was first performed on Ghadir-class submarines of the Navy.
"The Fateh submarine can be used as one of the top components in the battlefield. The torpedoes, missiles and mines used in this submarine are completely indigenous and the destructive power of our torpedoes is equal to six anti-ship cruise missiles; that is, they are capable of sending a 1,000-ton ship to the bottom of the sea in 10 seconds.", "Amir Rastegari", the head of the Marine Industries Organization of the Ministry of Defense said.
Rastegari added: "Marine industry has succeeded in designing a missile launch system from under the sea and has greatly increased Iran's offensive capability in the maritime arena. In this process, the missile travels to the target inside a "canister" and as soon as the canister reaches the surface of the water, its valve opens and the missile engine starts, then the missile splits the surface of the water and goes towards the target."
In general, the Fateh submarine is capable of carrying surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, with four 533-mm torpedo launchers and two reserve torpedoes, and is capable of carrying eight naval mines.
The completely indigenous submarine of Iran has a significant capability in carrying out special operations and due to the dimensions of the hull and propeller, the intelligence of devices and systems is able to enter ports and limited coastal areas and transfer special forces and deliver them to the desired points.
In addition to this feature, the Fateh submarine has the ability to mine in the sea, and if an amphibious attack is launched on the coast of the country, this submarine class is able to deal with the enemy at a suitable distance from the shore as the frontrunner unit. In peacetime, this submarine is responsible for reconnaissance and intelligence operations.
The Fateh- Middle-Class submarine is designed to be able to attack and defend simultaneously against the enemy surface and submarine vessels. This submarine is capable of carrying a variety of naval systems and weapons such as mines, torpedoes, and surface-to-surface missiles, which increase its offensive and surprising power on the battlefield.
This submarine can be used as one of the superior components in the field of battle and due to the size and amount of tonnage, it is able to dive in deep and shallow coastal waters and carry out operations.
Fateh submarine sonar technology is produced by the Electronic Industries of the Ministry of Defense and its radar, telecommunication, and battle management systems are able to receive environmental and operational data, and its optical and electronic systems also record images in the video without the need for the operator delivers the information from the surface to the control room.
Fateh submarine characteristics at a glance
Manufacturer: Marine Industries Organization of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support
Users: Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Number of Fateh- class built submarines: 3 / Completed: 1 / Active: 1
Type: Semi-heavy submarine
Weight: 527 tons (at the surface) 593 tons (at the depth)
Length: 48 meters (157 feet)
Propulsion: Electric diesel
Speed: 11 knots (20.35 km) per surface; 14 nodes (25.9 km) in-depth
Range: 6700 km (3600 nautical miles) with an average speed of 8 knots
Submarine operational stability: 35 days
Maximum achievable depth: 250 meters
Weapons: 6 torpedoes or anti-surface cruise missiles and 8 naval mines
By Seyyed Reza Mir Taher
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