Iran Navy dispatched to Oman and Kazakhstan

Pairs of Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) warships have been dispatched to Oman and Kazakhstan. In reference to the naval force headed to Oman, according to PressTV newswire dated 08APR2017:

The naval forces of the Islamic Republic and Oman will hold five-day joint rescue and relief drills in Iran’s southern waters and the northern areas of the Indian Ocean, an Iranian commander says.

An Iranian naval flotilla, comprising Sabalan destroyer, Lavan logistic warship and helicopter carrier, SH3D helicopter and Falakhan missile-equipped warships, left Iran for Oman on Saturday to take part in the drills, the commander of Iran's First Naval Zone, Rear Admiral Hossein Azad, said.

He added that it was imperative to improve security in Iran’s southern waters and the Indian Ocean given their geographical significance in maritime economy and busy traffic of ships and oil tankers.

COMMENT: Iran and Oman naval joint rescue and relief drills are a regular feature of relations between the two countries. File photos for Iran Navy vessels and aircraft provided below:

IRINS Sabalan (73) Alvand class (Vosper Mk5 type) frigate (FFG)

as vessel appeared 02JAN2013 during Velayet-91 naval exercise

IRINS Falakhon (P226) Kaman class (Combattante II type) guided missile patrol boat (PGGF)
as vessel appeared in MAY2014

IRINS Lavan (514) Hengam class tank landing ship (LSTH)

as vessel appeared 03SEP2013 after reported rebuild

IRINA Sikorsky (Agusta) SH-3D Sea King (AS-61) ASW/SAR/utility helicopter

as aircraft serial 8-2307 appeared 03SEP2013 after reported rebuild

In reference to the naval force headed to Kazakhstan, according to same PressTV newswire:

The Iranian Navy also on Saturday dispatched a flotilla to the Kazakh port city of Aktau for the first time, the commander of Iran's fleet of warships in the northern province of Gilan, Admiral Ahmadreza Baqeri, said.

The ‘Peace and Friendship’ flotilla consists of Damavand destroyer and Peykan missile-launcher destroyer and plans to stay in Kazakhstan for three days, he added

[…]

The Iranian naval personnel and commanders on board the fleet are scheduled to visit Kazakhstan’s military and historical sites and hold talks with the country’s naval officials.

COMMENT: IRIN vessels dispatched from Bandar Anzali (Fourth Naval Zone) for inaugural visit to the Kazakh Naval Force base at Aktau. File photos of Iran Navy vessels provided below:

IRINS Damavand (77) Moudge class guided missile frigate (FFGH)

as vessel appeared 10MAR2017 on visit  to Makhachkala in Russia's Republic of Dagestan

IRINS Peykan (P224) Sina class fast attack-craft (PGGF)

as vessel appeared 21OCT2015  on visit  to Makhachkala in Russia's Republic of Dagestan

Location of Kazakh Naval Force base at Aktau, Kazakhstan

Photos: Russia Today, Ahmad Jafari at Mehr News Agency,  Michail Varlashin at astranovosti.ru

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.