The service estimated that Iran has approximately 28-30 submarines, most of them miniature vessels designed for the shallow waters of the Persian Gulf, where they are ideal for ambushing enemy ships.
How many Ghadir-class submarines does Iran deploy?
What threat do Ghadir ships pose to US aircraft carriers?
Why are Ghadir ships adapted to the waters of the Persian Gulf?
On what basis did Iran build the Ghadir-class ships?
Territorially adapted ships
Iran cannot match the dozens of warships the United States has amassed in the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers and their accompanying destroyers, but it could make it much more difficult for them to navigate the area.
Ghadir, ArmyRecognition noted, was designed specifically for what could be described as extreme coastal warfare. With a displacement of approximately 117 tons on the surface and 125 tons submerged, and a compact design, these vessels are suited to the shallow, island-dotted and crowded waters of the Persian Gulf, where larger submarines can easily run aground and the large number of ships and drilling of all types significantly limits sonar performance.
Ghadir is probably based on the North Korean Yono-class ship, which Tehran received in 2004 and based on which it built its own, modified version.
Tehran deliberately does not disclose how many submarines it has. For American planners, however, the exact number is less important than the lethal capabilities of these “pocket ships”, which – by immobilizing one or two much larger enemy units in a pre-planned place – can effectively block the entire fleet, exposing it to attack by other weapons.
