Name Alvand class Completed 4 | Succeeded by Moudge class Active 3 | |
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Builders Vosper Thornycroft, Vickers Operators Islamic Republic of Iran Navy | ||
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.
Contents
Three remain in service, a fourth was sunk by the US Navy in 1988 during the Iran-Iraq War.
Development and construction
The ships were built in the UK by Vosper Ltd and based on their Mark 5 design with the following arms & equipment:
They were refitted in the UK shortly before the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
History
The ships were originally named after characters from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, but after the Islamic Revolution they were renamed after mountains in Iran.
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.
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 20 mm (0.79 in) AA gun.
Two triple 12.75-inch (324 mm) torpedo tubes, two 81 mm (3 in) mortars and two 0.50 caliber machine guns were also fitted.
Successors
The Moudge-class frigate is a modified Iranian-built version of the Alvand class, with five either in service or building.