Chinese exercise reveals new Iranian capability
The visit by a Chinese naval fleet to Iran has revealed a possible upgrade to an Iranian frigate.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) made a four day visit to Bandar Abbas between the 15 to 18 June, completing with a joint exercise with the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) in the Straits of Hormuz.
Official imagery released by Chinese and Iranian state media outlets showed the IRIN vessel, Alvand, conducting manoeuvres with PLAN ships but also gave a clear image of an apparently new antenna.
Analysis of additional imagery of the IRIS Alvand from the last 12
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