Ghadir-class

The Ghadir-class submarine emerged from an interest in midget submarine capabilities that began in the 1980s, a period that included attempts at assembly and the acquisition of foreign-built models. The existence of the Ghadir program was first acknowledged publicly in 2004. A year later, Iran announced the commencement of mass production for its own indigenous midget submarine design. The first vessels were tested in naval exercises that same year, with the formal commissioning of units into the fleet beginning in 2007. This development was presented as a significant milestone in achieving domestic military self-sufficiency.

The Ghadir class is a diesel-electric midget submarine specifically designed for operations in shallow littoral waters. While compact, the vessel possesses considerable offensive power centered around two torpedo tubes. These can launch not only standard torpedoes but also anti-ship cruise missiles, including a missile variant developed specifically for submarine launch. In addition to its primary strike role, the submarine is capable of conducting clandestine minelaying operations and supporting special forces by deploying and retrieving combat swimmers. The design is noted for its high maneuverability and its ability to remain stationary and silent on the seabed, though its operational endurance is believed to be extremely limited.

Operated exclusively by the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, the entire Ghadir fleet is assigned to the Southern Fleet for service in the Persian Gulf. Its tactical doctrine is oriented towards asymmetrical warfare, emphasizing anti-access/area denial (A2/AD), ambush, and guerrilla tactics. The strategy likely involves deploying these submarines in large numbers to create a multi-layered threat capable of overwhelming a technologically superior adversary. Although primarily focused on the Gulf, at least one Ghadir-class submarine has conducted a long-range deployment into the Indian Ocean for a port visit and joint exercise. Western military commanders and analysts view the class as a lethal threat, given its numbers, stealth, and potential to sink larger surface combatants.