7/8/2023 0 Comments Republic frigate![]() ![]() Although the IRGCN has significantly upgraded its fleet in terms of size and lethality since the end of the Iran-Iraq War, it remains a force composed of smaller platforms. It employs an asymmetric doctrine that emphasizes speed, mobility, large numbers, surprise, and survivability and takes advantage of Iran’s geography with the shallow and confined waterways of the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. The IRGCN, which comprises approximately 20,000 personnel, is tasked with protecting primarily the Iranian littoral. The event usually entails a series of naval manoeuvres involving IRIN surface combatants, submarines, and CDCM forces. The IRIN typically conducts a major national-level exercise each year called VELAYAT. Iran continues to invest in domestically developing and producing more-capable subsurface platforms, including larger coastal submarines. Iran acquired three Russian Kilo-class attack submarines in the 1990s and began domestically producing North Korean Yono class midget submarines in the mid-2000s. Despite its need for new auxiliaries, Iran has given no indication it is planning to invest in acquiring new support vessels. ![]() Iran has been able to domestically build corvettes and patrol boats for the IRIN and upgrade legacy platforms with new capabilities, including antiship cruise missiles (ASCMs). If the IRIN is to fulfil its longer-term ambitions to function as a true blue-water navy, it will have to invest in more modern combatants and support ships. Since 2009, the IRIN has maintained near-continuous out-of-area naval deployments for counterpiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, foreign port visits, and bilateral exercises with regional navies.ĭespite its ageing platforms, the IRIN has been moderately effective in maintaining readiness and sustaining operations. One of the IRIN’s key missions is to conduct out-of-area operations and naval diplomacy in the region and beyond.
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