New Iranian destroyer still months away from beginning operations
The latest addition to the Iranian Navy’s surface fleet, the indigenously produced missile destroyer Dena, will become operational in the coming months, according to Iran’s Defence Minister Brig Gen Amir Hatami.
Announcing the timeline for vessel’s introduction on 23 November, state news outlet IRNA said that the destroyer brought new capabilities to the Iranian Navy. The announcement came almost a year to the day that it was first revealed the vessel will be equipped with a vertical launch system (VLS).
Iran often releases statements promoting its indigenous design and manufacturing capabilities that are difficult to verify. Recently, it revealed its first ‘ocean-going aircraft carrier’, which turned out to be a repainted and slightly modified roll on/roll off merchant vessel.
One of seven Mowj-class destroyers planned to enter service with the IRIN, Dena and its sister ships are significantly smaller than modern destroyers at around 95m in length and displacing 1,500t. By way of comparison the class are only 5m longer than the UK’s River-class Batch 2 OPVs and displace 25% less tonnage.
The small size of the Mowj class would make the realisation of an effective VLS capability a difficult undertaking, and would likely be limited to aerial point defence purposes due to cell length requirements needed for maritime strike.
In comparison, the MK 41 VLS in service with a variety of Western or Western-aligned navies tops out at 7.6m in length and are typically deployed in frigate and destroyer-sized vessels. A smaller 5.2m version is considered to be suitable for smaller offshore patrol vessels and corvettes, but would be utilised for self-defence purposes only.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard starts the construction of its first Waterways Commerce Cutter]()
US Coast Guard starts the construction of its first Waterways Commerce Cutter
By replacing capabilities that are more than 60 years old, the Inland Construction Tenders will support the building, repairing and maintaining of fixed aids to navigation.
-
![France and Sweden sign defence roadmap as Naval Group positions FDI frigate for Swedish surface ship programme]()
France and Sweden sign defence roadmap as Naval Group positions FDI frigate for Swedish surface ship programme
A pact signed at the Paris Air Show has seen Sweden turn to the French FDI frigate to lead its next-gen surface combatant fleet amid shifting security dynamics in the Baltic Sea.
-
![US Navy moves quickly with uncrewed vessels and industry follows]()
US Navy moves quickly with uncrewed vessels and industry follows
The US Navy (USN) is evolving into a hybrid fleet with uncrewed systems supporting crewed vessels and companies working to provide new solutions. In the case of Ocean Aero, its Triton uncrewed surface vessel can also be used underwater.
-
![US to review AUKUS submarine partnership]()
US to review AUKUS submarine partnership
The Australia, UK and US (AUKUS) trilateral agreement consists of two pillars. The first pillar involves Australia’s procurement of nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) and the second pillar involves bring defence industry and research bases closer together through high-technology development programmes. It is the former which is under re-evaluation.
-
![South Korea pushes forward on unmanned surface vessel development for future fleet]()
South Korea pushes forward on unmanned surface vessel development for future fleet
South Korean industry continues to evolve unmanned surface vessels as the ROK Navy targets future force needs and addresses manpower challenges.
-
![How the US Government plans to put the US Navy’s shipbuilding programmes back on track]()
How the US Government plans to put the US Navy’s shipbuilding programmes back on track
In an attempt to reduce delays in shipbuilding efforts, the US government, lawmakers and the Navy are betting big on further investments in the national defence industry and public shipyards. Reviewing and reformulating ongoing initiatives and business practices will also be form part of the effort.
