IRIN 44th Flotilla voyage suspended at Durban, South Africa

File Photo: IRINS Bushehr (AORLH 422) Bushehr class replenishment ship

On 16JAN2017 it was reported at DefenceWeb the voyage of IRIN 44th Flotilla had been suspended at Durban, South Africa, apparently for reasons of repair to IRINS Bushehr (422) replenishment ship.

IRIN 44th Flotilla. comprising IRINS Alvand (71) and IRINS Bushehr (422) were reported on 13OCT2016 to be dispatched to the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, proceeding to Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam on 29OCT2016. A brief sortie into the Atlantic Ocean was claimed on 21NOV2016.

CNES satellite imagery posted at IHS Jane's 360 (see below) depicts IRINS Bushehr at Dormac Dock 1, an 8500 ton floating dock taken into service last year. According to DefenceWeb: "[s]ome Durban port watchers maintain the Iranian navy vessel was the first platform to use the new addition to Dormac’s range of ship repair facilities"

 

CNES satellite imagery posted and annotated by IHS Jane's 360

IRINS Alvand is also seen docked nearby, apparently incapable of continuing the voyage back to Bandar Abbas port without the replenishment ship.

COMMENT: Iran's Navy has been undertaking these flotilla missions for some time now, projecting power to distant points such as the Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and now the Atlantic Ocean.

Vessels that undertake these missions are relatively aged, obtained during the time of the Shah's reign and upgraded/overhauled to varying extents. IRINS Bushehr was originally commissioned on NOV1974.

While the interruption of 44th Flotilla's voyage appears to be a setback, it is noteworthy the Republic of South Africa appears to be rendering assistance to Iran's military.