On Thursday (February 6), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy of Iran officially commissioned the aircraft carrier “Shahid Bahman Bagheri”, identified by the number C110-4.
+ Click here to watch the video of Iran’s new aircraft carrier
The vessel is a conversion of the former container ship Perarin, originally built in South Korea, and underwent extensive modifications at the Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex near Bandar Abbas.
Modifications and New Capabilities
The ship, measuring 240 meters in length and 32 meters in width, has undergone a series of adaptations to operate as an aircraft carrier. Key modifications include:
- A tilted deck and a 180-meter runway equipped with an arresting system and a launch ramp for deploying large UAVs (unmanned aerial drones).
- Internal hangars and aircraft elevators for storing and moving aerial vehicles.
- Capacity to carry light missile-armed boats and maritime drones, which can be launched and recovered using side elevators.
Armaments
Available images indicate that the “Shahid Bahman Bagheri” is equipped with a significant arsenal, including:
- Eight inclined container launchers for anti-ship missiles.
- Eight Kowsar-222 anti-aircraft missile launchers, classified as lightweight and multifunctional systems.
- Multiple artillery mounts for close-range defense.
Strategic Importance
The conversion of the “Shahid Bahman Bagheri” enhances the Iranian Navy’s ability to project power in the Persian Gulf region and beyond. The integration of UAVs and armed vessels expands its operational capabilities, enabling missions ranging from surveillance to coordinated naval strikes.
The official announcement of the new aircraft carrier underscores Iran’s growing strategy of using modified vessels to boost its naval capabilities amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Source and images: Telegram @tasnim_military. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
