IRIN Kharg (431)

IRIN Kharg (431) History

In the 1990s, the Islamic Republic of Iran made a conscious decision and worked to build as many of its own ships locally as possible to reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers. However, by the 1970s their shipbuilding facilities were unable to build large ships, which proved problematic as the Iranian Navy managed an increasing number of warships that needed to be refueled at sea - British and American-built destroyers as well as British and Iranian - manufactures frigates and frigates. British shipbuilder Swan Hunter was commissioned by the Iranian government to build a 33,014-ton supply vessel, named "Kharg" to represent a single vessel in its class.

The Ol class, a former auxiliary tanker for the Royal Navy Fleet, was selected for the refit and work began in 1976. The Ol class is considered a "fast fleet tanker" capable of rivaling modern warships, from a class to four self-built ships. The ships are used to provide fuel, food, ammunition and other supplies to ships of the Royal Navy sailing the world's seven oceans - so they provide a very good, proven design that the Iranian Navy could benefit from.

The boat has a barrel length of 648 feet, a beam of 84 feet, and a suction depth of 34 feet. The purpose she built between 1976 and 1977 was a tanker tanker.

Completed in 1978, Khaarg was not extradited to Iran until 1984the Iranian Revolution of 1978-79 changed the Iranian state forever and severely restricted political and military access to the West.

IRIN Khaarg is powered by 2 Westinghouse geared steam turbines, each rated at 26,870 shaft horsepower, using single shaft twin boilers. Iran has equipped the ship with about 250 personnel, including the crew of the base's helicopters.

The vessel manages a stern-mounted helideck with two enclosed pylons, each capable of accommodating a Sea King Navy helicopter (a third can be stowed on the open helideck). In 1993, Khagg was sent to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbasyq for an overhaul. Since the Iranian government has not released information about the warship, the refit is believed to include adding dry storage rooms inside the ship.

These areas may be used to store troops, ammunition, ship supplies or mines. The ship is equipped with self-defense equipment including 1 x 76mm/62 OTO Melara gun (Italy) and up to 4 x 23mm/80 twin guns (Soviet era).

In a 2011 operation, two Iranian ships a destroyer and a supply ship Khaarg sailed off the coast of Israel, docked at the Syrian port of Latakia, and returned to Iran via the Red Sea. The Kharg patrols next to the frigate IRIN Alvand in February 2011. Admiral Habibullah Sayari, the Iranian admiral, declared it was a "message of peace and friendship" and that the ships displayed Iran's "strength". However, Israel immediately put its navy on alert.

The operation has heightened tensions with Israel at a perilous time amid speculation that an airstrike against Iran's nuclear program is being prepared.

In 2012, when the destroyer Shahid Qandi and its supply vessel Kharg passed through the Suez Canal on their way to Syria, Iran brought its ships closer to its own waters, further escalating tensions with Iran, raising High Israel. This is the second time that Iranian ships have entered the Mediterranean Sea since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The Haag then supported the Iranian frigate Alwand, sailed across the English Channel and anchored in Latakia, Syria's main port city.

The nature of Iran's nuclear program has tightened sanctions on Iran's oil exports, prompting Iran to threaten to close the strait - a major bottleneck for world oil shipments. Russia, which has a base in Tartus and has close ties to Iran, has been quick to oppose military action against Iran and Syria.

As of late February 2012, the Haag was stationed in the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden as a supply ship for the Iranian Navy.

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