Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Fleet Inventory 🇮🇷

Overview

Iran's naval power is uniquely bifurcated, split between the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN). This dual structure reflects a layered maritime strategy, combining conventional naval roles with asymmetric warfare capabilities. The IRIN operates as a more traditional navy, focusing on the Gulf of Oman and deep-sea operations, while the IRGCN is primarily responsible for the security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s naval capabilities are centered on an asymmetric doctrine designed to counter a technologically superior adversary. This involves the use of a large number of small, fast attack craft, which can be deployed in swarming tactics to overwhelm enemy warships. The fleet also includes midget submarines, which pose a significant threat in the confined waters of the Persian Gulf. Iran has a substantial inventory of naval mines, which could be rapidly deployed to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. A key component of its naval power is the extensive arsenal of land-based and sea-launched anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles, creating a formidable anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environment.

Tehran's maritime strategy is focused on ensuring its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies. Iran's naval exercises often simulate the closure of this strait, highlighting its willingness to use this as leverage. The IRIN has also been expanding its operational reach, undertaking long-range deployments to the Indian Ocean and beyond, demonstrating growing blue-water ambitions and a desire to project power and influence. These deployments also serve to strengthen strategic relationships with partner nations.

Iran's shipbuilding industry is a critical element of its naval strategy, with a focus on producing indigenous warships and submarines. Recent developments include the construction of new catamaran-style missile boats with reduced radar cross-sections and vertical launch systems. Iran has also converted several large container ships into "motherships," which can launch drones, missiles, and fast attack craft, extending the range and persistence of its naval forces.

The operational reach of the Iranian navy has been steadily increasing. While the IRGCN remains focused on the Persian Gulf, the IRIN has demonstrated its ability to conduct extended voyages, with port calls in Asia and Africa. These deployments serve both a diplomatic and military purpose, showcasing Iran's growing confidence and naval capabilities on the world stage.

Key facts

Official Name Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
Country🇮🇷 Iran
World rank#32
Ships in service90 (as of 2025)
Total ships90
Naval ensign

Ensign of Iran navy

Number of active ships by category

Ship category Active
Amphibious ships 24
Patrol boats 21
Support ships 17
Other ships 11
Frigates 7
Submarines 6
Corvettes 3
Mine Warfare ships 1

Detailed inventory of Iranian Navy

Amphibious ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Landing Craft Air Cushion BH.7 101 Active 1970
BH.7 102 Active 1971
BH.7 103 Active 1974
BH.7 104 Active 1974
BH.7 105 Active 1974
BH.7 106 Active 1975
Landing Ship, Heavy Hengam IRIS Hengam 511 Active 1974
Hengam IRIS Larak 512 Active 1974
Hengam IRIS Tonb 513 Active 1985
Hengam IRIS Lavan 514 Active 1985
Landing ship logistics Karbala IRIS Fouque 101 Active 1998
Karbala IRIS Qeshm 504 Active -
Karbala IRIS Hormoz 505 Active -
Karbala IRIS Farour 506 Active -
Karbala 507 Active -
Karbala 508 Active -
Landing Craft Air Cushion SR.N6 1 Active 1973
SR.N6 2 Active 1973
SR.N6 3 Active 1973
SR.N6 4 Active 1974
SR.N6 5 Active 1974
SR.N6 6 Active 1975
SR.N6 7 Active 1975
SR.N6 8 Active 1975

Corvettes

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Corvette Bayandor IRIS Bayandor 81 Active 1964
Bayandor IRIS Naghdi 82 Active 1964
Hamzeh IRIS Hamzeh 802 Active 1936

Frigates

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Frigate Alvand IRIS Alvand 71 Active 1971
Alvand IRIS Alborz 72 Active 1971
Alvand IRIS Sabalan 73 Active 1972
Moudge IRIS Jamaran 76 Active 2010
Moudge IRIS Damavand 77 Active 2015
Moudge IRIS Sahand 74 Active 2018
Moudge IRIS Dena 75 Active 2021

Mine Warfare ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Minehunter Shahin IRIS Shahin M111 Active 2021

Other ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Cargo ship Delvar IRIS Charak 481 Active 1982
Delvar IRIS Chiroo 482 Active 1982
Delvar IRIS Souru 483 Active 1982
Water carrier Delvar IRIS Deylam 424 Active 1982
Tanker ship Kangan IRIS Kangan 411 Active 1978
Kangan IRIS Taheri 412 Active 1979
Kangan IRIS Shahid Marjni Active -
Kangan IRIS Amir Active -
Expeditionary Sea Base Forward Base Ship Makran IRIS Makran 441 Active 2021
Forward Base Ship Drone Carrier Shahi Mahdavi IRIS Shahid Mahdavi 110-3 Active 2023
Expeditionary Sea Base Shahid Roudaki IRIS Shahid Roudaki 110-1 Active 2020

Patrol boats

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Patrol craft Kaivan IRIS Kaivan 201 Active 1956
Kaivan IRIS Tiran 202 Active 1957
Kaivan IRIS Mahan 204 Active 1959
Fast attack craft Kaman IRIS Kaman P221 Active 1977
Kaman IRIS Xoubin P222 Active 1977
Kaman IRIS Khadang P223 Active 1978
Kaman IRIS Falakhon P226 Active 1978
Kaman IRIS Shamshir P227 Active 1978
Kaman IRIS Gorz P228 Active 1978
Kaman IRIS Gardouneh P229 Active 1978
Kaman IRIS Khanjar P230 Active 1981
Kaman IRIS Neyzeh P231 Active 1981
Kaman IRIS Tabarzin P232 Active 1981
Patrol craft Parvin IRIS Parvin 211 Active 1967
Parvin IRIS Bahram 212 Active 1969
Parvin IRIS Nahid 213 Active 1970
Fast attack craft Sina IRIS Paykan P224 Active 2003
Sina IRIS Joshan P225 Active 2006
Sina IRIS Derafsh P233 Active 2009
Sina IRIS Separ P234 Active 2017
Sina IRIS Zereh P235 Active 2021

Submarines

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Coastal submarine Fateh IRIS Fateh 920 Active 2019
Midget submarine Ghadir Active 2007
Attack submarine Kilo IRIS Taregh 901 Active 1992
Kilo IRIS Nooh 902 Active 1993
Kilo IRIS Yunes 903 Active 1996
Midget submarine Nahang IRIS Nahang 1 Active 2006

Support ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Replenishment ship Bandar Abbas IRIS Bandar Abbas 421 Active 1974
Bandar Abbas IRIS Bushehr 422 Active 1974
Ammunition ship Delvar IRIS Delvar 471 Active 1982
Delvar IRIS Sirjan 472 Active 1982
Support ship Delvar IRIS Dayer Active 1982
Tender ship Hendijan IRIS Macham Active 1985
Hendijan IRIS Khoramshahr Active 1985
Hendijan IRIS Hendijan 1401 Active 1987
Hendijan IRIS Sirik 1402 Active 1989
Hendijan IRIS Konarak 1403 Active 1988
Hendijan IRIS Gavatar 1404 Active 1990
Hendijan IRIS Moqam 1405 Active 1992
Hendijan IRIS Bahregan Active 1992
Hendijan IRIS Kalat 1407 Active 1987
Hendijan IRIS Ganaveh Active 1988
Hendijan IRIS Rostami 1409 Active 1993
Hendijan IRIS Nayband Active 1993
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