Alvand-class frigate

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A starboard beam view of an Iranian Alvand class frigate underway.
A starboard view of the Iranian destroyer escort IIS Saam (DE-71), redesignated IRS Alvand (F-71)
Class overview
Name: Alvand class
Builders:
Operators:  Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
Succeeded by: Moudge class
Building: 0
Completed: 4
Active: 3
Lost: 1
General characteristics
Type: Frigate
Displacement: 1,100 tons (1,540 tons full load)
Length: 94.5 m (310 ft)
Beam: 11.07 m (36.3 ft)
Draught: 3.25 m (10.7 ft)
Propulsion: 2 Paxman Ventura cruising diesels 3,800 bhp (2,800 kW), and 2 Rolls Royce Olympus TM-3A boost gas turbines 46,000 shp (34,000 kW) on 2 shafts
Speed: 17 knots (31 km/h) on diesels; 39 knots (72 km/h) on gas turbines
Range: 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement: 125-146
Armament:
  • 4 × C-802 anti-ship missiles
  • 1 × 4.5 inch (114 mm) Mark 8 gun
  • 1 × twin 35 mm AAA, 2 × single 20 mm AAA
  • 2 × 81 mm mortars
  • 2 × 0.50cal machine guns
  • 1 × Limbo ASW mortar
  • 2 × triple 12.75 in torpedo tubes

The Alvand class was originally a class of four frigates known as the Saam class built for the pre-revolutionary Iranian Navy. They were renamed the Alvand class after the Iranian Revolution.

Three remain in service since the fourth was sunk by the US Navy in 1988 during the Iran-Iraq War.

Development & Building

The ships were built in the UK by Vosper Ltd and based on their Mark 5 design with the following arms & equipment:-[1]

They were refitted in the UK shortly before the 1979 Iranian Revolution.[2]

History

The ships were originally named after characters from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, but after the Islamic Revolution they were renamed after mountains in Iran.[3]

They saw action during the "Tanker War" phase of the Iran–Iraq War and proved effective against Iraqi forces. However, after one was sunk, and other significant losses taken, during Operation Praying Mantis they saw little further use as the Iranian Navy proved no match for the US Navy.[4]

Upgrades

The Sea Killer missiles were replaced by Chinese made C-802s in the 1990s, and the Sea Cats replaced by the addition of a 20mm AA gun leaving remaining ships with practically no effective anti-aircraft ability.

2 × triple 12.75 in torpedo tubes, 2 × 81 mm mortars & 2 × 0.50 cal machine guns were also fitted.[3]

Successors

The Moudge-class frigate is a modified Iranian-built version of the Alvand class, with five either in service or building.[5]

Ships in the class

Ship Pennant Number Builder Launched Status
Alvand - ex-Saam 71 (ex- DE 12) Vosper Thornycroft 1968 In Service
Alborz - ex-Zaal 72 (ex DE 14) Vickers 1969 In Service
Sabalan - ex-Rostam 73 (ex DE 16) Vickers 1969 In Service
Sahand - ex-Faramarz 74 (ex DE 18) Vosper Thornycroft 1969 sunk on 18 April 1988.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Moore, John Jane's Fighting Ships, 1974–75, pub Jane's Publishing Co Ltd, 1975, ISBN 0-354-00506-5-page 175.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Military Factory.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Sources

ja:ヴォスパー・ソーニクロフト・フリゲート#Mk.5フリゲート

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