On February 06 2025, IRGC (Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps) received Iran’s first indigenous built drone carrier named as Shaheed Bahman Bagheri. Bahman Bagheri was martyred during Iran-Iraq war. Islamic republic of Iran is the second country after China which developed a naval carrier specifically designed for unmanned combat vehicles (UCAVs).The drone was revealed in ceremony held at southern city of Bander Abbas.
Design of Shahid Bahman Bagheri drone carrier:
Bahman Bagheri drone carrier was developed from commercial ship named Perarin.The transformation included an angle flight deck with the approximately length of 180 m providing space for variety of combat drones. Iranian navy widened the hull by 14m for making flights operations possible .Unlike the other large aircraft carriers Bahman Bagheri has same original super structure position when it was a container which means that Iranian authorities didn’t invest heavily in drone carrier. The main problem of existing super structure is it may effect flight operations of drones. As ship’s engine and exhaust systems was not modified by authorities so super structure of carrier is center positioned so landing of large drones is almost impossible and other problem is turbulence caused by exhaust systems and superstructure which may affect flight operations . There is a large space behind the super structure which can be used for helicopters landing and for drones that can perform vertical landing and for extra missile launchers. There is also attached smaller vessel alongside with carrier. This small vessel supports drone carrier logistic operations loading and unloading of equipment and materials
Operational capabilities of Bahman Bagheri drone carrier:
Bahman Bagheri drone carrier can deploy and operate various squadrons of unmanned drones and rotor aircrafts. The pictures shows the Iran’s modern drones like Mohajer, Qaher 313 and Ababil were seen on deck. American Bell model 206 and Russian MI17 helicopters were also seen operating at the deck. According to some reports drone carrier can deploy unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and Unmanned under water vehicle (UUV).The drone carrier has an ability to store drones in hanger and can lift them up to flight deck using an internal elevator.
On the side of Hull of Bahman Bagheri drone carrier there are doors for boat landing and recovering.IRGC has a long history of arming boats with missiles and used them in swarms against enemy. The deployment of fast attack boats will enable carrier ability of rapid offensive in offensive operations.
Armaments and defense system of Bahman Bagheri drone carrier:
Bahman Bagheri is equipped with its own armaments and payloads such as anti-ship cruise missiles located at the rear end. Launchers can be seen at the behind of carrier main super structure. The drone carrier is also equipped with short range air defense system such as Kowsar 222 to protect drone carrier with hostile aerial platforms in close engagements. The drone carrier has also medium range defense system that provide a layered protection against aerial threats. There is also a 30 mm automatic cannon which is installed at the bow of carrier.Drone carrier is also integrated with two 20mm Gatling-type cannons The cannon can act as CIWS close in weapon station for close combat scenarios. Beside that Drone carrier can also use armed boats in swarm against enemy naval assets.
Engine of Bahman Bagheri drone carrier:
Iran first drone carrier uses MAN B&W 8K90MC diesel engine which can enhance it speed up to 10 knots.As the Bahman Bagheri was initially a container ship built by Hyundai Industries in South Korea having total displacement of 40,000 ton
The carrier has an operational range of almost 22,000 nautical miles and can remain in water for almost year without refueling
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https://battletechinsider.com/submarines/russias-arcturus-class/
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