Alvand-class frigate

The Alvand class (Persian: کلاس الوند‎) or Saam class (Persian: کلاس سام‎) was originally a class of four frigates built for the Imperial Iranian Navy. They were renamed after the Iranian Revolution, and served in the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy during Iran-Iraq War. Three still remain in service. A fourth was sunk by the US Navy in 1988.

Alborz (72) and Sabalan (73) sailing together
Class overview
Name: Alvand class
Builders: Vosper Thornycroft, Vickers
Operators:  Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
Succeeded by: Moudge class
Built: 1968–1972
In service: 1971–present
Completed: 4
Active: 3
Lost: 1
General characteristics
Type: Frigate
Displacement: 1,100 tons (1,540 tons full load)
Length: 94.5 m (310 ft)
Beam: 11.07 m (36.3 ft)
Draught: 3.25 m (10.7 ft)
Propulsion: 2 Paxman Ventura cruising diesels 3,800 bhp (2,800 kW), and 2 Rolls Royce Olympus TM-3A boost gas turbines 46,000 shp (34,000 kW) on 2 shafts
Speed: 17 knots (31 km/h) on diesels; 39 knots (72 km/h) on gas turbines
Range: 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement: 125-146
Armament:
  • 4 × C-802 anti-ship missiles
  • 1 × 4.5 in (114 mm) Mark 8 gun
  • 1 × twin 35 mm (1.4 in) AA guns
  • 2 × single 20 mm (0.79 in) guns
  • 2 × 81 mm (3 in) mortars
  • 2 × 0.50 cal machine guns
  • 1 × Limbo ASW mortar
  • 2 × triple 12.75 in (324 mm) torpedo tubes

Development and construction

The ships were built in the UK by Vosper Ltd and based on their Mark 5 design with the following arms & equipment:[1]

They were refitted in the UK shortly before the 1979 Iranian Revolution.[2]

History

The ships were originally named after characters from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh. After the Islamic Revolution they were renamed after mountains in Iran.[3]

They saw action during the "Tanker War" phase of the Iran–Iraq War and proved effective against Iraqi forces. After one was sunk, and other significant losses taken, during Operation Praying Mantis they saw little further use as the Iranian Navy proved no match for the US Navy.[4]

Upgrades

The Sea Killer missiles were replaced by Chinese made C-802s in the 1990s. The Sea Cats were replaced by the addition of a 20 mm (0.79 in) AA gun.

Two triple 12.75-inch (324 mm) torpedo tubes, two 81 mm (3 in) mortars and two 0.50 caliber machine guns were also fitted.[3]

Successors

The Moudge-class frigate is a modified Iranian-built version of the Alvand class, with five either in service or under construction.[5]

Ships in the class
Ship Pennant number Builder Launched Status
Alvand (ex-Saam) 71 (ex DE 12) Vosper Thornycroft 1968 In service
Alborz (ex-Zaal) 72 (ex DE 14) Vickers 1969 In service
Sabalan (ex-Rostam) 73 (ex DE 16) Vickers 1969 In service
Sahand (ex-Faramarz) 74 (ex DE 18) Vosper Thornycroft 1969 sunk on 18 April 1988.

See also

References
  1. Moore, John Jane's Fighting Ships, 1974–75, pub Jane's Publishing Co Ltd, 1975, ISBN 0-354-00506-5-page 175.
  2. John Pike. "Global Security". Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  3. Military Factory.
  4. "BBC 10 January 2012". BBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  5. "New Wars". New Wars. Retrieved 11 November 2014.

Sources
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