Moudge-class

Summary

Origin country 🇮🇷 Iran
Category Frigate
SubtypeFrigate
ManufacturerIranian Navy's Factories
Year commissioned2010
Units 74 IRIS Sahand
75 IRIS Dena
76 IRIS Jamaran
77 IRIS Damavand

Operators

🇮🇷 Iran

Description

The Moudge class is a series of Iranian-produced light frigates developed as a successor to the Alvand class. Construction on the lead vessel began in 2001 at the Iranian Navy's Factories. The program is managed by the Marine Industries Organization, with seven units planned and six completed. While Iran officially classifies these vessels as destroyers, international maritime organizations and navies designate the class as either light frigates or corvettes. Jane's Fighting Ships classifies the class as frigates, while the International Institute for Strategic Studies designates them as corvettes.

The design incorporates a 3D PESA long-range radar and electronic warfare systems, including chaff launchers. Aviation facilities consist of a helicopter landing pad capable of supporting anti-submarine warfare helicopters. The vessels are equipped for anti-ship, surface-to-air, and anti-submarine operations. One unit, Zagros, was modified during construction to serve as a signals intelligence (SIGINT) vessel following damage sustained in a dry dock accident.

The lead ship, Jamaran, entered service in 2010 and is stationed at Bandar Abbas. Damavand, the second unit, was commissioned in 2015 for operations in the Caspian Sea. In January 2018, Damavand ran aground on a breakwater during a storm and was subsequently scrapped; it was replaced in the Caspian fleet by Deylaman in 2023. Sahand entered service in 2018 but capsized and sank in port in July 2024. Following reconstruction and repair, Sahand was recommissioned in November 2025. Dena was commissioned in 2021. The class has recorded two major industrial accidents: the capsizing of Talaiyeh (later renamed Zagros) while in dry dock and the sinking of Sahand while in port. Four units remain in active service as frigates, with one additional unit configured for SIGINT and one vessel, Taftan, currently under construction.

Technical specifications

Displacement1500 tons
Crew140 members
Width11.1 m (36.4 ft)
Length95.0 m (311.7 ft)
Air Park
  • 1 × Bell 214 ASW helicopter
Propulsion

2 × 10,000 hp (7,500 kW) engines, 4 × 740 hp (550 kW) diesel generators

Armament
  • 1 × 76 mm Fajr-27 naval gun
  • 1 × 40 mm Fath-40 AAA or 1 × 30mm Kamand CIWS
  • 2 × 20 mm cannons Oerlikon
  • 2 × 12.7 mm heavy machine guns
  • 4 × Mehrab SAM or 4 × Sayyad-3 SAM
  • 4 × Noor or Qader anti-ship missiles
  • 2 × triple 324 mm torpedoes
Maximum speed30 knots
Photo of Moudge-class

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of ship is the Moudge-class?
The Moudge-class is a frigate (Frigate) built by Iran.
What is the displacement of the Moudge-class?
The Moudge-class has a displacement of 1,500 tons.
What is the maximum speed of the Moudge-class?
The Moudge-class has a maximum speed of 30 knots (55 km/h).
How many crew members serve on the Moudge-class?
The Moudge-class has a crew complement of 140 personnel.
How many Moudge-class ships have been built?
6 vessels of the Moudge-class have been built.
Which countries operate the Moudge-class?
The Moudge-class is operated by Iran.
Wikipedia and other open sources. Last updated on 18 January 2026. Suggest a change