The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRCG) Navy received Thursday a new home-made ocean-going, helicopter and drone carrying warship named Shahid Roudaki, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.
The ceremony to deliver Shahid Roudaki warship was attended by a group of Iranian civilians and military officials, including IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami and IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri.
The multifunctional vessel is capable of carrying and providing logistical support to fighter jets, aircraft, drones, missile systems, and radars which are being carried on board.
The 400-ton Shahid Roudaki warship is 150 meters long and 22 meters wide. It is equipped with three-dimensional radars, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles. It can carry helicopters and operational vessels, all of which have been domestically-designed and manufactured.
Addressing the ceremony, Rear Admiral Tangsiri said that the warship has been equipped with different types of indigenized weapons.
Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy’s Second Zone General Ramezan Zirahi announced last month that the IRGC’s naval forces will receive a number of ocean-going vessels in the next six months.
“A number of ocean-going vessels for deployment in free waters and oceans are being manufactured and they will join the IRGC Navy by the yearend (Iranian year which ends on March 20),” General Zirahi said.
He underlined the IRGC Navy’s high preparedness to give a crushing response to any possible attack by enemies, saying the IRGC enjoys full intelligence superiority over the region and monitors all moves.
In August 2011, the Iranian lawmakers discussed a bill which required the government to build oceangoing ships equipped with special engine and fuel technology allowing the vessel to traverse thousands of miles without any need to refueling.
Deputy Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization Jalil Eslami said last Tuesday that piracy against Iranian ships in the free waters has decreased to nearly zero thanks to the efforts of the country’s naval forces in the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
“Piracy has zeroed or was close to zero in recent months with efforts of the Iranian naval forces in the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps,” Eslami said.
