Peykaap III-class missile boat

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Class overview
OperatorsNavy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
General characteristics
TypeFast patrol craft
Displacement13.75 tons
Length17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
Beam3.75 m (12 ft 4 in)
Draught0.7 m (2 ft 4 in)
Installed power2 × diesel engines, 2,400 horsepower (1.8 MW)
Propulsion1 × propeller
Speed52 knots (96 km/h; 60 mph)
Complement3
Armament

Zolfaghar (Persian: ذوالفقار, named after Zulfiqar; also known as Peykaap III[1]) is a class of fast patrol craft operated by the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran.

Design[edit]

The Peykaap III is a modified version of North Korean IPS-16, manufactured by Iran.[2]

Dimensions and machinery[edit]

The ships have an estimated standard displacement of 13.75 t (13.53 long tons).[2] The class design is 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in) long, would have a beam of 3.75 m (12 ft 4 in) and a draft of 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in).[2] It uses one surface piercing propeller, powered by two diesel engines.[2] This system was designed to provide 2,400 horsepower (1,800 kW) for an estimated top speed of 52 knots (96 km/h; 60 mph).[2]

Armament[edit]

Peykaap III crafts are equipped with two single anti-ship missile launchers with Kowsar or Nasr[2][3] which rely on internal guidance and active terminal homing to 38 kilometres (21 nmi) at 0.8 Mach.[2] It is also compatible with Chinese C-701/FL-10 torpedoes.[2] Their secondary armament is two 12.7 mm machine gun.[2]

History[edit]

In July 2023, the Venezuelan Zolfaghars were displayed, armed with Nasr-1 anti-ship missiles.[4] They were presented in the wake of the Royal Navy's HMS Trent arrival in Guyana.[5]

On February 24, 2024, the Peykaap IIIs were sighted near the Gulf of Paria.[6]

Users[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Carlson, Christopher P. (2021). "Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy: A Small Craft Overview" (PDF). Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Saunders, Stephen; Philpott, Tom, eds. (2015), "Iran", IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2015–2016, Jane's Fighting Ships (116th Revised ed.), Coulsdon: IHS Jane's, p. 390, ISBN 9780710631435, OCLC 919022075
  3. ^ The International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) (2020). "Middle East and North Africa". The Military Balance 2020. Vol. 120. Routledge. p. 350. doi:10.1080/04597222.2020.1707968. ISBN 9780367466398. S2CID 219624897.
  4. ^ Egozi, Arie (27 July 2023). "Iran delivers weapon systems to Venezuela". Defence Industry Europe. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Video: Venezuelan Navy Transfers Iranian Missile Boats to the Atlantic Coast". Carroemotos. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  6. ^ https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2024/february/14082-venezuela-navy-operates-2-iranian-built-zolfaghar-class-missile-boats-near-trinidad-and-tobago.html
  7. ^ "Venezuela's Zolfaghar boats are just the latest military equipment provided by Iran". The Observers. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.

External links[edit]