Class overview
BuildersMarine Industries Organization
Operators
Built1996–present
In service2000–present
General characteristics
TypeSwimmer delivery vehicle
Length8 m (26 ft 3 in)
Complement2 + 3 divers

Al-Sabehat (Persian: السابحات) is a swimmer delivery vehicle built and operated by Iran.[1] The SDV is approximately 8 m (26 ft 3 in) long, and carries a crew of 2 plus 3 divers.[1] It can carry out coastal reconnaissance missions, planting naval mines on ports and anchorages, as well as lifting special forces.[1][2] According to Abhijit Singh, a senior fellow at Observer Research Foundation, the SDV "can be used effectively for unconventional attacks".[3]

Hengam class ships function as a mothership for Al-Sabehat SDVs.[1]

Al-Sabehat SDV is designed at Esfahan Underwater Research Centre.[3] Planning and construction of Al-Sabehat was reportedly started in 1996[4] and the first vessel was unveiled on 29 August 2000.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Saunders, Stephen; Philpott, Tom, eds. (2015), "Iran", IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2015–2016, Jane's Fighting Ships (116th Revised ed.), Coulsdon: IHS Jane's, p. 390, ISBN 9780710631435, OCLC 919022075
  2. ^ Nadimi, Farzin (18 June 2020), "Iran Signals a Toughened Stance by Adding to Its Naval Arsenal", The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (PolicyWatch), no. 3335, retrieved 15 July 2020
  3. ^ a b Singh, Abhijit (2010), "Dark Chill in the Persian Gulf – Iran's Conventional and Unconventional Naval Forces", Maritime Affairs, National Maritime Foundation, 6 (2): 113, doi:10.1080/09733159.2010.559788, ISSN 1946-6609, S2CID 110041921
  4. ^ "Iran's First Locally-made Submarine Inducted", Kuwait News Agency, 29 August 2000
  5. ^ "Iran launches its first submarine", BBC, 29 August 2000
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