Iran Unveils New Indigenous Submarine Named 'Fateh'

Hassan Rouhani, the President of the Islamic Republic, unveiled an indigenous submarine named 'Fateh', which Iranian media claims is the most advanced submarine in Iran and equipped with a missile launcher. The unveiling ceremony took place on Sunday, November 19, at the port of Lengeh. Amir Hatami, the Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Support, stated that this submarine is equipped with 'sonar systems, electric propulsion, integrated combat management, underwater-to-surface missile guidance systems, torpedo guidance, electronic and communication warfare systems, secure and integrated communication systems'. According to IRNA, 'Fateh' weighs 527 tons and is the first semi-heavy submarine manufactured in Iran; it can operate at a depth of 200 meters normally, with a maximum achievable depth of 250 meters. The report adds that 'Fateh' has a maritime endurance of 35 days and is equipped with four launch pads for 533 mm torpedoes, capable of carrying eight naval mines and two reserve torpedoes. Fars news agency reported that the construction of this submarine 'resulted from over 4.2 million man-hours of work and effort by specialists in the country's defense industries, in collaboration with 500 partner networks including 48 design centers, 120 industrial centers, 80 knowledge-based companies, 57 academic centers, and 195 research centers'. Iranian media states that, upon the order of the President, the 'Fateh' submarine has embarked on its first mission in the southern waters of the country. Rouhani mentioned that the construction of this submarine cost $68 million, adding that 'if we had to buy this submarine from abroad, we would have to spend $250 million and might not even receive the necessary parts'. Military analyst Hossein Aryan, in an interview with Radio Farda, discussed the history of Iran's submarines, noting that after receiving three Kilo-class submarines (named Tareq, Noah, and Yunus) from Russia between 1992-1997, Iran attempted to build submarines domestically. Initially, small Ghadir-class submarines weighing about 120 tons were constructed, with over 20 of these submarines joining the Navy and the Revolutionary Guard. Aryan added that the next effort by Iran's military industries in 2006 was to build a semi-heavy submarine named 'Whale', weighing about 400 tons. One of this type was built, but there was never news of its integration into the Navy. Two years later, Iran announced the start of construction of the 'Basit' submarine (previously named Qaim) weighing about 1200 tons, claiming that two of this type would be operational by 2015, although it seems this project is currently stalled. Aryan stated that Iran has now unveiled its first semi-heavy submarine named 'Fateh', which is likely a completed and optimized model of the 'Whale' submarine. According to Admiral Hossein Khanzadi, commander of the Navy, 'next generations of the Fateh submarine' will also be built. He emphasized that 'Fateh', given its displacement and characteristics, is not suitable for operations in the shallow depths of the Persian Gulf, but is undoubtedly a good option for operations in the Sea of Oman and beyond alongside Kilo-class submarines. The unveiling occurs amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister, stating that Israel is seeking war with Iran. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he added that the 'behavior' of Israel and the U.S. 'is undermining international law'. Donald Trump, the U.S. President, withdrew Washington from the six-power agreement with Iran on May 8 this year and reinstated two rounds of extensive sanctions against Tehran. Iran claims it has developed its domestic arms industries to counter pressures and sanctions. According to UN Security Council resolutions, the export and import of weapons to and from Iran is prohibited. Last year, Tehran also announced the unveiling of an indigenous destroyer, which Iranian media claimed has stealth capabilities. This claim was made despite military expert Hossein Aryan stating in an interview with Radio Farda that 'if we equate stealth with radar evasion, it is unlikely that Iran has achieved this technology. The U.S., Russia, and China are the only countries that possess this technology.'