Iranian mini-subs
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- #22
Most of this discussion evolves around what are undoubtedly correctly referred to as "midget submarines". The Ghadir may also be referred to as such, however it may be worth discussing the benefit to the Iranian navy of operating larger submarines, not full-sized(let us say 800 tons plus), but vessels like the Russian Piranha class.
Although it may have been designed in the 80's, the Russians have newer and larger designs. They range from 130 - 1000 tons, the larger ones with the Klub missile system and AIP as an option. For the purposes of this discussion lets look at the P-550 design. It's specifications are given as follows -
Displacement: 650 tons
Full submerged speed: 20 knots
Full submerged range: 2000 miles
Maximum diving dept: 300 metres
Length: 51.0 metres
Width: 6.4 metres
Heigth: 6.3 metres
Armament: 4 533 mm torpedoes
8 400 mm torpedoes
12 mines
Endurance: 20 days
Crew: 9
Although the basic design is still old and the sonar might not be the best, such a submarine would be a formidable foe. Cheap and quick to make, I wonder why the Iranians do not seem to have shown any interest in them?
Although it may have been designed in the 80's, the Russians have newer and larger designs. They range from 130 - 1000 tons, the larger ones with the Klub missile system and AIP as an option. For the purposes of this discussion lets look at the P-550 design. It's specifications are given as follows -
Displacement: 650 tons
Full submerged speed: 20 knots
Full submerged range: 2000 miles
Maximum diving dept: 300 metres
Length: 51.0 metres
Width: 6.4 metres
Heigth: 6.3 metres
Armament: 4 533 mm torpedoes
8 400 mm torpedoes
12 mines
Endurance: 20 days
Crew: 9
Although the basic design is still old and the sonar might not be the best, such a submarine would be a formidable foe. Cheap and quick to make, I wonder why the Iranians do not seem to have shown any interest in them?
Mmm, that kinda startled me. The low crew. The somewhat comparable German Types 205 and 206 had 22-24 crew (and that with a smaller 450-500 ton displacement...).
And i really, really doubt their submerged range is 2000 nm. Sure, floating with the currents maybe, but definitely not under power
200-250 nm is a far more likely number for that size.
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- #24
I presume the range figures do refer to snorkling. Modern automation techniques are cited as the reason for the low crew numbers. The type 205 and 206 use 1970's technology. Although granted, such a low figure does sound very low. I should point out that there is said to be room for 6 divers.Mmm, that kinda startled me. The low crew. The somewhat comparable German Types 205 and 206 had 22-24 crew (and that with a smaller 450-500 ton displacement...).
And i really, really doubt their submerged range is 2000 nm. Sure, floating with the currents maybe, but definitely not under power
200-250 nm is a far more likely number for that size.