IRANIAN SUBMARINE BASE
The above image depicts the Iranian Navy's submarine facility at Bandar Abbas. The vessel on the left is one of Iran's Russian-built Kilo SSKs. Kilos are a significant threat to surface ships in the Persian Gulf. The shallow littoral waters of the region render passive sonar systems virtually ineffective in locating what are already quiet targets for various reasons, including complex underwater currents, rough terrain, and other factors. Potentially more interesting than the Kilo is what can be seen on the right: four mini submarines berthed together at the far end of the dock. Such submarines are often used in asymmetric warfare applications such as special operations support. These submarines may be the four Yugo-class SSCs which were supplied to Iran by North Korea in 2007. The effectiveness of these vessels and others of their ilk is a matter of dispute among analysts. They are short of range, lack serious combat persistance, and can carry a limited number of personnel. But they could be used to send special operations forces or insurgents into the region, or perhaps be fitted to deploy mines in the Strait of Hormuz, so their presence cannot simply be discounted in any serious threat analysis. The Kilos, on the other hand, are definite threats to naval operations or civillian shipping in the region. The only potential issue with the Iranian Kilo force is that the submarine tied along the dock appears to be inactive and possibly rusted. This suggests that there may be an issue with maintenance or upkeep of the force. There are two other Kilos in service in the Iranian Navy which are not visible, although the entire force is visible in imagery from 2005, which may indicate that they have been relocated to other operating locations, or that they are at sea.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
Feel free to discuss the current Image of the Week at the IMINT & Analysis Forum Image of the Week discussion thread found here.
SOURCES
-Satellite imagery provided courtesy of Google Earth
The above image depicts the Iranian Navy's submarine facility at Bandar Abbas. The vessel on the left is one of Iran's Russian-built Kilo SSKs. Kilos are a significant threat to surface ships in the Persian Gulf. The shallow littoral waters of the region render passive sonar systems virtually ineffective in locating what are already quiet targets for various reasons, including complex underwater currents, rough terrain, and other factors. Potentially more interesting than the Kilo is what can be seen on the right: four mini submarines berthed together at the far end of the dock. Such submarines are often used in asymmetric warfare applications such as special operations support. These submarines may be the four Yugo-class SSCs which were supplied to Iran by North Korea in 2007. The effectiveness of these vessels and others of their ilk is a matter of dispute among analysts. They are short of range, lack serious combat persistance, and can carry a limited number of personnel. But they could be used to send special operations forces or insurgents into the region, or perhaps be fitted to deploy mines in the Strait of Hormuz, so their presence cannot simply be discounted in any serious threat analysis. The Kilos, on the other hand, are definite threats to naval operations or civillian shipping in the region. The only potential issue with the Iranian Kilo force is that the submarine tied along the dock appears to be inactive and possibly rusted. This suggests that there may be an issue with maintenance or upkeep of the force. There are two other Kilos in service in the Iranian Navy which are not visible, although the entire force is visible in imagery from 2005, which may indicate that they have been relocated to other operating locations, or that they are at sea.ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
Feel free to discuss the current Image of the Week at the IMINT & Analysis Forum Image of the Week discussion thread found here.
SOURCES
-Satellite imagery provided courtesy of Google Earth
4 comments:
Hello.
I think that Kilo sub does is not
rusted,but in refit.
It is common practise that usually 2 kilos at sea and one kilo in refit.So you never see 3 kilos at sea at the same time although about
3 years ago during a manouver,Iranian navy send
all 3 ones to sea.
Those little subs are called
Khadir and are made in Iran with
assistance of NK.Alongside Nahang
class...who are about 1000 tone...
their number is growing slowly.
the confirmed number for Khadir
anf Nahang subs are 6,in addition
to Tareq class...Kilo...who
as you mentioned ,are 3.Two operational,one always in refit and
maintenance.
The Kilo has the same appearance as a lot of derelict Russian submarines, implying to me that it may not be completely servicable. If you look back a while in the historic imagery the submarines clearly showed a black finish when in better condition, complete with various markings. This one looks like its been out of service, but it could be undergoing maintenance.
If the other subs are Ghadirs, where are the Yugos?
I you look at the dry docks NW of the Kilo, there is something there under going some work. Looking closely at the overhead structure you can see a separate rise indicating that it is probably a sub in refit. The lenght of the overhead structure is about 80m. The Kilo is about 70m. Therefore it is possible that it is a Kilo in there.
Mr.Oconner
As far as I know there is not any
yugos sub in Iran only ghadir mini
subs and Nahang subs.NK only assisted iranians to manufacture them.
This is routine for western media to call iranian made subs as NK made ones.
About Kilo
Alongside SSM,those 3 kilos are most important assets of iranain navy,so they dont let one of them to be rotten in dock.
Last year Iranian TV showed complete overhaul of a kilo sub showing technicians fully striping it and working on it.
you can find it on youtube too.
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