TEHRAN -- Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy on Monday unveiled a domestically-developed patrol combat vessel named after the country’s top anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad airport in January 2020.
The military achievement was put on display during a ceremony in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas.
Chief of Staff of Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Baqeri, IRGC Chief Commander Major General Hussein Salami, Commander of the IRGC Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri and a number of other high-ranking military officials, commanders and state officials attended the ceremony.
During the ceremony, the IRGC Navy also took delivery of Shahid (Martyr) Rouhi and Shahid Dara high-speed and missile-launching assault boats.
The hull of Shahid Soleimani catamaran is equipped with radar-evading stealth technology, meaning that it has a very low level of radar cross-section, according to General Baqeri.
The vessel, thanks to its shape, can undertake all kinds of operations in open seas, and is capable of cruising in adverse weather conditions.
The Shahid Soleimani catamaran also has a much higher maneuverability and a much smaller turning radius compared to vessels of the same size, enabling it to implement various offensive and defensive missions.
The vessel runs on four indigenous high-power engines, which give it the chance to be quickly dispatched to the designated zone, and go on long-haul maritime missions without the need for coastal support as it defends the interests of the Islamic Republic in high seas.
Moreover, it can carry helicopters, and is equipped with large helipads intended for use by military choppers as well as vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles.
The vessel, given its combined combat features, can also carry and launch various types of fast attack craft during operations in open seas.
It is equipped with the most sophisticated reconnaissance, surveillance, telecommunications and electronic warfare systems as well as radars. It can identify and monitor designated targets at sea level, below sea level and in the air.
Among other features of the vessel is the use of homegrown self-protection systems, modern communication and telecommunication equipment, various types of encoders and data links.