DM Stresses Key Role of Speedboats in Iran's Naval Doctrine

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi underlined that use of speedboats is at the heart of the Iranian Navy's operational doctrine since high-speed vessels have already proved highly efficient in fighting back US heavyweight warships.

Addressing a conference at Amir Kabir University of Technology here in Tehran today, Vahidi recalled the history of using speedboats for confronting US aircraft carriers, heavy warships and submarines, and noted, "Speedboats proved so successful that they led to the formation of the IRGC (the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps) naval force." 

"The accomplishment also led to major changes in doctrines in different fields," he added.

"This significant event has abundant lessons and implications in strategic, operational, tactical and industrial areas and also in research and innovation," he continued. 

"The issue of high-speed vessels has now turned into a crucially important topic in the world, while it is a very efficient, effective and low-cost operational doctrine for us," Vahidi noted. 

He further announced that Iran is now capable of manufacturing speedboats which can traverse at 60 to 70 knots per hour, yet the country is still seeking to increase the speed of these vessels to 80, 90 and even 100 knots per hour. 

In August, the IRGC launched tens of its missile-launching speedboats in the Persian Gulf. 

The speedboats in Zolfaqar, Tareq, Ashoura and Zoljanah classes were launched in a ceremony attended by Admiral Fadavi and a number of other high-ranking officials. 

The Islamic Republic has mass-produced a large number of speedboats with rocket- launchers and other sophisticated military equipment which are able to strike a heavy blow at any foreign warship if the country comes under attack. 

Also the IRGC has earlier announced that it is ready to deploy its submarines and combat boats to intercept vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. 

The IRGC is responsible for the security of the Persian Gulf. In 2008, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, former commander of the IRGC and the current military advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, declared that the responsibility for defending the Persian Gulf had been handed over to the IRGC. 

He warned that the IRGC would seal the strategic Strait of Hormuz in case the US launches any attack on Iran's nuclear installations.