Iran has commissioned its first indigenously built frigate, Jamaran, during a ceremony at Bandar Abbas on 19 February.
Built under the Mowj project, Jamaran is referred to locally as a ‘destroyer’, although the design is based on the Iranian Navy’s existing 1960s-vintage British-built Alvand-class (Vosper Mk 5) frigates.
According to local state-owned media reports, the ship displaces 1,420-1,500 tons, which is the size of a light frigate or corvette.
Although the frigate does not have a hangar, space has been provided for a flight deck capable of operating an AB 212 helicopter. It is Iran’s first helicopter-capable surface combatant; the earlier Alvand-class frigates are fitted with gun and missile systems at the stern.
A second indigenously built frigate – built to the same design – is in the latter stages of construction at Bandar Abbas.
