According to information published by Iranian press agency TASNIM on November 27, 2021, during a press conference that was held on Saturday, November 27, 2021, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani has announced that the Iranian Navy has started the design of a new class of submarine called "Besat".
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link
According to U.S. military sources, currently, the Iranian Navy has a total of 19 submarines including three Kilo-class fast attack submarines, one Fateh-class coastal submarine, 14 Ghadir-class (Yono), and one Nahang.
According to open sources information, the Besat-class submarine could be an evolution of the Qaaem-class. On 25 August 2008, Iranian defense minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar announced Iran had started building the first submarine of the class named Qaaem, which will be capable of carrying and firing various types of torpedoes and undersea missiles.
The construction of the new Besat- class submarine will begin soon, said the Iranian navy commander, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani. According to Iranian press reports, the 1300-ton Besat heavy submarine will have 6 torpedo launchers, mining capabilities, and will be also able to launch cruise missiles. The Besat will be approximately 60 meters in length, capable of diving to 300 meters, and able to sustain 12 knots (22 km/h) surfaced and 20 knots (30 km/h) submerged.
According to a report of the United States Department of Defense, Submarines are a critical component of the Iranian Navy, which has undertaken an ambitious construction program to increase its subsurface production capabilities and expand its fleet. Iran has three classes of operational submarines in its order of battle. First, Iran received three Kilo-class attack submarines from Russia in the 1990s.
The Iranian Navy also has 14 North Korean-designed Yono class midget submarines (SSM). Iran originally acquired at least one Yono submarine from North Korea in 2004 and began domestically producing them shortly thereafter. Displacing only 120 tons, the Yono has two torpedo tubes capable of carrying Iran’s 53 cm Valfajar heavy-weight torpedo.
In addition to the two classes of submarines that are currently operational in the Iranian Navy, Iran is domestically producing other classes of submarines including the Fateh-class coastal submarine (SSC). The Fateh reportedly displaces 600 tons with an operational diving depth of 200 meters and a range of 5,000 kilometers.
According to U.S. military sources, currently, the Iranian Navy has a total of 19 submarines including three Kilo-class fast attack submarines, one Fateh-class coastal submarine, 14 Ghadir-class (Yono), and one Nahang.
