Iranian Defence Ministry will soon unveil ten different classes of destroyers and missile-launching frigates made in the country, a senior Iranian Navy commander has said.
Abbas Zamini, Iranian Navy technical affairs lieutenant commander rear admiral, told Fars News Agency that the Mowdge 1 Class vessel Jamaran demonstrated Iran’s capabilities in manufacturing battleships.
The country is currently developing the second generation of the hi-tech vessel, while 70% of the construction of Mowdge 2 Class destroyer, Velayat, is through Iran’s northern port city of Bandar Anzali.
In 2012, the Iranian Navy has launched its first indigenously built guided-missile destroyer, the Jamaran, while the Velayat is scheduled for launch before March 2013.
"Construction of other Mowdge and Sina-class destroyers are underway, including Mowdge 3 and 4 projects," Zamini said.
Construction of Mowdge 5 class destroyer, Sahand, is likely to end in the near future and will be launched later this year.
In addition, Zamini said added that work on all the three classes of Sina-class missile-launching frigates is on Iran’s agenda.
Under the Sina-class programme, the Iranian Defence Ministry and the navy are constructing four different classes of warships known as Sina 4, 5, 6 and 7.
The 14,000t Mowdge-class vessel, Jamaran, is fitted with modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as a variety of anti-ship, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles.
The 94m-long Jamaran can accommodate a crew of 120-140 and can cruise at a maximum speed of 30kt.
Capable of carrying helicopters, the destroyer is also armed with a smart ‘Nour’ (light) missile and provides anti-submarine capabilities with defence systems against surface and air attacks.
