Iran says it plans major gulf naval exercise

[outsider]

Iran says it plans major gulf naval exercise

By Philip Ewing - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Nov 26, 2007 16:47:11 EST

AIRFORCE TIMES

Iran’s navy will stage a large exercise in the Persian Gulf in February, an official English-language Tehran newspaper reported Sunday, including maneuvers planned specifically for the Strait of Hormuz, the choke point through which some 20 percent of the world’s oil passes.

Code-named “Etand 86,” or “Unity 86,” the exercise will include the operational debut of a homebuilt diesel-electric attack submarine, The Tehran Times reported. Navy commander Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayari told the newspaper that the navy expected to take delivery of the new sub on Wednesday, Iran’s national navy day. A state news service also reported that Iran was claiming it would accept a new destroyer the same day.

“The navy has the potential to control all enemy movements in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman and to give a crushing answer to enemies when needed thanks to domestically-made equipment,” Sayari told the Times. He called the U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf “a propaganda campaign” against Iran, and he said that “foreign forces should leave the region as soon as possible so to escape the quagmire they have created for themselves.”

The U.S. has maintained a carrier strike group — and, at times, two — in the 5th Fleet area of operations since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Enterprise strike group is on station there now, to be relieved in a few weeks by the Harry S. Truman Strike Group.

There were few details about the new ships that officials said were joining the Iranian fleet. According to Jane’s Fighting Ships, the Iranian navy fields three Russian-built Kilo-class diesel-electric subs, but there are reports that it plans new types of small, coastal defense boats. Jane’s lists no destroyers in the Iranian fleet; it says that Iran’s largest surface warships are the 1,350-ton Alvand-class frigates.

Hello everyone, this is my first post, so I hope I'm don't inadvertently break any forum rules.

Does anybody here know the exact date in February, that the UNITY 86 War Games will start?

With the tensions that were created by alledged Iranian patrol boats approaching US ships in a hostile manner earlier this month, I think the potential exists for a serious incident (intentional or not) to occur between Iranian and US forces during the Week long War Game. Note the maneveurs are to take place in the Straights of Hormuz, where the earlier incident occurred. What do the other forum members think?

 

[eaf-f16]

Hello everyone, this is my first post, so I hope I'm don't inadvertently break any forum rules.

Does anybody here know the exact date in February, that the UNITY 86 War Games will start?

With the tensions that were created by alledged Iranian patrol boats approaching US ships in a hostile manner earlier this month, I think the potential exists for a serious incident (intentional or not) to occur between Iranian and US forces during the Week long War Game. Note the maneveurs are to take place in the Straights of Hormuz, where the earlier incident occurred. What do the other forum members think?

They should either postpone this exercise and wait until all matters with patrol boat incident are cleared up and they find out who really gave out that "You'll blow up" message or they make sure they have a high level of communication of the USN warships throughout the whole exercise to make sure no misunderstandings happen.

Either way, it would be really irresponsible to hold a large-scale naval exercise at this time. Especially in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

[metro]

They should either postpone this exercise and wait until all matters with patrol boat incident are cleared up and they find out who really gave out that "You'll blow up" message or they make sure they have a high level of communication of the USN warships throughout the whole exercise to make sure no misunderstandings happen.

Either way, it would be really irresponsible to hold a large-scale naval exercise at this time. Especially in the Strait of Hormuz.

I do agree that with the tensions raised to the level they're at in the region, it would be good for everyone to reduce any chance of "conflicts, misunderstandings, mistakes, etc," as any of these would hurt everybody. I think in reality, it might be wiser for us(a) to ask Iran quietly to either delay or cancel the exercise and allow Iran to basically come out and say "as a good will gesture to everyone in the region, our military will postpone our scheduled exercise to show we are not interested in creating any conflict..." (something like that). Simply, offering Iran the chance to a way out where they don't look as if they're backing down to anyone.

I'm not sure that Iran will "delay or put off" their Navel exercise regardless of the circumstances, and we can't just tell them "no, or else..."! But this goes back to what eaf said (assuming in this case, that Iran goes ahead with their plans), we need to communicate a message which is made very clear, not only Iran but to everyone in the Gulf, both prior to and during Iran's exercise that we have absolutely no intention of engaging Iran in any type of conflict, but any sort of provocations towards USN ships or the gulf states will absolutely not be tolerated and the USN will defend these interests if any problems occur.

I'd also film everything from as many places as possible. I definitely agree that holding these exercises is really dangerous at this time. Increasing the opportunity for some "mistake" to occur, when both sides will have everyone on alert, just isn't a good idea. If something "happens" at the same time, in Lebanon or between Hizbollah, UNIFIL and/or Israel, the situation throughout the region won't "improve" (to say the very least). JMO.

 

[contedicavour]

There is one strange thing in the article : what is this home made diesel electric sub ?? Just another small pocket sub for special submarine in the mould of the North Korean and former Yugoslav designs, or something larger ?

I would rate small subs as the 2nd most important danger in the Gulf (after mines), ahead of FACs and air attacks.

cheers

 

[outsider]

I agree with the views expressed above, that it would be very unwise for Iran to hold War Games in the Straights of Hormuz at this time. If they do, things could get "ugly".

Here's info on the new Iranian submarine....

Iran Manufactures Sonar-Evading Submarine
17:24 | 2007-11-29

FARS NEWS AGENCY

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran said on Wednesday to have built a submarine equipped with sonar-evading technology, saying the craft had been launched in the Persian Gulf.

The navy chief, Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, was quoted by state television as saying the new Ghadir-class submarine is the second Iranian-built underwater craft outfitted with "state-of-the-art electronic equipment." He said it took 10 years to build.

The report showed a picture of a submarine. Iran's two domestically built submarines can fire missiles and torpedoes simultaneously.

Iran has been pushing an arms development program in recent years in a bid to reach self-sufficiency. It has produced its own jet fighters and armored vehicles as well as radar-avoiding missiles and other high-tech weapons. On Tuesday, it announced a new long-range missile.

Iran has also three diesel-electric Russian made submarines.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the new submarine is part of Iran's drive toward self-sufficiency in arms production, the television report said.

"Today, you have been able to design and build many of the military requirements. We have become self-sufficient from other countries," Khamenei was quoted as telling navy commanders Wednesday.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said the Islamic Republic will defend itself should the United States or archrival Israel ever attack.

Iran Extends Submarine Range to Hit Tel Aviv and US Mediterranean Targets

From DEBKA-Net-Weekly Updated by DEBKAfile's Exclusive Sources
November 27, 2007, 1:28 PM (GMT+02:00)

Iranian mini-submarine for Persian Gulf targets

DEBKAfile’s military sources report the Iranian Navy is in the process of deploying two submarine fleets – mini-subs in Persian Gulf waters for attacks on US shipping and Gulf oil facilities, and the long-range Kilo class sub of Russian, Chinese and home manufacture, for long-range targets in the Mediterranean, such as the US Sixth Fleet and Israel coastal towns, primarily Tel Aviv.
Iran’s defense minister Mostafa Najiar announced Tuesday, Nov. 27, that a new Iranian-built submarine would be delivered to the navy Wednesday. He offered no details of the new item. However, two days earlier, Iran’s navy chief. Adm. Habibollah Sayyari disclosed that the new submarine would operate in Persian Gulf waters in the Strait of Hormuz area. He also declared that Tehran has no intention of blocking the Strait in a flare-up with the US military.

DEBKAfile’s military sources note that Iran’s strategic thinking has undergone a change. Hitherto, the rulers of Tehran viewed the blockage of the narrow waterway to shipping that carries one-third of the world’s oil needs, as its most effective reprisal for a military attack. They have revised their thinking for two reasons: First, Iran has made great strides in expanding its influence in Gulf oil states and an assault on their sole source of revenue would win more enemies than friends.

Second, as DEBKA-Net-Weekly 326 revealed Nov. 16, Tehran has developed a new capability to deploy in the Mediterranean Kilo class submarines armed with the Russian-made “Sizzler” Klub-S (3M54) missile. This missile can be shot from underwater at a range of 300 kilometers and has a powerful 450-kilogram warhead. It is launched from the submarine’s 533mm (21 inch) torpedo tubes.

This possibility was outlined by an authoritative Iranian security figure, the spokesman-cum-commentator at Iran’s defense ministry, Gen. Reza Naghdi, on Nov. 12. He said that if Iran were attacked, its navy – and its submarine fleet in particular – could come close enough to “reach an Israeli coastal target” from the sea.

Iran’s submarine fleet consists of 6 Kilo class craft, of which only three or four are serviceable. Another 12 submarines of the same class are on order from China, but there is no information that any of them has entered service or even been delivered.

Western naval experts say that Iran will need to keep all of its three or four operational subs close at hand, in case of an American attack.

The Iranian navy has none to spare for other arenas, unless a strategic decision is taken in Tehran to send a sub or two to the Mediterranean to hit American or Israeli naval shipping or the Israeli coast, even at the expense of its Gulf resources.

The Revolutionary Guards Corps is known to have built a large fleet of mini-subs and special marine units equipped with fast boats for deployment in the Persian Gulf. They might partly free up the larger Kilo subs for this option.

It may be recalled that Iran’s first intervention in the Israel-Hizballah war in South Lebanon last year was by sea. On July 14, 2006, Iranian naval officers helped Hizballah shoot a shore-to-ship C-802 missile from a Lebanese army base, crippling the Israeli Hanit missile ship. The incident is still considered the most damaging suffered by Israel in that war.

A month later, Iran began experimenting with firing the Sizzler missiles from its Kilo-class submarines.

The Kilo class submarine’s displacement is up to 4,000 tons submerged. It is 74 meters long, has a maximum speed of up to 30 knots surfaced, diving depth of 300 meters and range of more than 12,100 km. The Kilo carries a crew of 52 sailors and, depending on the type, is armed with six to eight 533 mm torpedo tubes, 24 mines and air defense missiles. The Kilo submarines’ quiet engines enable them to appear and disappear like wraiths, winning them the name of Black Hole from the US Navy.

 

[Stryker001]

1

If something "happens" at the same time, in Lebanon or between Hizbollah, UNIFIL and/or Israel, the situation throughout the region won't "improve" (to say the very least). JMO.

It will not improve anyhow.

The first thing is that you cannot negotiate with Iran or Hizbollah, any approach for a ceasefire and development of a peace process. I mean you come in peace and they blow up a US diplomatic vehicle.

I am afraid a lot more killing is required before the peace option is taken up in Palestine, of course Hezbollah and Iran does not want Hamas or Fatah to except a model of peace.



As it is in Iran and Hizbollah’s interest to have a continued destabilization occurring between Palestine and Israel.

That model presented will be the model for peace and the wording for the statement will be along those lines as proposed. If more killing is required to get it, then so be it.

 

[Aliph Ahmed]

It will not improve anyhow.

The first thing is that you cannot negotiate with Iran or Hizbollah, any approach for a ceasefire and development of a peace process. I mean you come in peace and they blow up a US diplomatic vehicle.

I am afraid a lot more killing is required before the peace option is taken up in Palestine, of course Hezbollah and Iran does not want Hamas or Fatah to except a model of peace.



As it is in Iran and Hizbollah’s interest to have a continued destabilization occurring between Palestine and Israel.

That model presented will be the model for peace and the wording for the statement will be along those lines as proposed. If more killing is required to get it, then so be it.

There should be a basic understanding that Israel is a reality that can not be wither away as well as Israel must also go to pre 1967 borders.

Untill both parties digest this bitter pill. I forsee no peace and loss of countless lives on both sides.

Iran is only trying to achieve her natural position that was in line with the west pre revolution Iran vision but this time against the west's blessing.