Kilo Class Submarine
Iran took delivery of 3 Type 877EKM "Kilo" Class submarines between 1992 and 1996. These are relatively modern diesel-electric submarines, which first entered service with the Soviet Union in 1980. The EKM version, designed for export, has improved command and control equipment and is some 10 meters longer than the standard Kilo Class at 72.6 meters in length. The submerged displacement is 3,076 tons, with a displacement of 2,325 tons when surfaced. It has a submerged speed of 17 knots, and 10 knots when surfaced.
Iranian Kilos are capable of anti-ship operations using their six 530mm torpedo tubes (include 2 tubes capable of launching Russian type wire-guided torpedoes) or mining. 1,000 naval mines capable of being laid by the Kilo were sold by Russia to Iran along with the submarines. A maximum load of 16 torpedoes or 24 mines can be carried. The conning tower also has a station for the firing of a shoulder launched surface-to-air missile system, otherwise stowed aboard the vessel. In Iranian service the 9K32M/SA-14 Strela is standard.
In 2006 an Iranian Kilo test fired a torpedo tube launched anti-ship missile of unknown type reported to resemble the Russian 3M54 Klub-S. This capability would give the Iranian navy another anti-ship missile capability. The Kilo's torpedo tubes were also originally designed to be capable of firing nuclear armed cruise missiles, seen at the time of the test as another potential capability for the Iranian navy. However, the validity of the video footage of this test brought the claim into question soon thereafter.
All three Kilos remained operational as of 2008, but difficulties in maintaining the vessels, designed for colder northern European waters, had resulted in the need to replace the batteries. By 2008 the design was also nearing 30 years old, and the Iranian vessels were no doubt in need of refit.
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