Iran Begins Building First Locally-Built Submarine

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File image: A Russian-built, Kilo-class diesel submarine recently purchased by Iran, is towed by a support vessel in this photograph taken in the central Mediterranean Sea during the week of December 23. The submarine and the support ship arrived at Port Said, Egypt, on Tuesday and were expected to begin transiting the Suez Canal today, Jan. 2, 1996. Ships and aircraft from the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet are tracking the submarine, which has been making the transit on the surface. This is the third Kilo-class submarine the Iranians have purchased from Moscow. DoD photo.

Tehran (AFP) May 11, 2005
Iran has begun producing its first locally-built submarine, state media reported Wednesday, saying the vessel was designed to remain undetected and fire missiles and torpedoes simultaneously.

The craft will boost Iran's inventory of submarines patrolling Gulf waters that according to foreign military experts includes up to six Russian-built SSK or SSI Kilo class diesel submarines.

The defence ministry said the new submarine is called the Ghadir -- a religious holiday to mark the day Shiite Muslims believe the prophet Mohammad annointed Imam Ali as his successor.

The vessel, a prototype of which is undergoing tests, is designed for rapid deployment, said the ministry, which gave no further details.

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