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The Alvand class (Persian: کلاس الوند) or Saam class (Persian: کلاس سام) was originally a class of four frigates built for the Imperial Iranian Navy. They were renamed after the Iranian Revolution, and served in the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy during Iran-Iraq War. Three still remain in service. A fourth was sunk by the U.S. Navy in 1988.
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2013) |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Alvand / Saam class |
| Builders | Vosper Thornycroft, Vickers |
| Operators | |
| Succeeded by | Moudge class |
| Built | 1968–1972 |
| In service | 1971–present |
| Completed | 4 |
| Active | 3 |
| Lost | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Frigate |
| Displacement | 1,100 tons (1,540 tons full load) |
| Length | 94.5 m (310 ft) |
| Beam | 11.07 m (36.3 ft) |
| Draught | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Propulsion | 2 Paxman Ventura cruising diesels 3,800 bhp (2,800 kW), and 2 Rolls-Royce Olympus TM2 boost gas turbines 46,000 shp (34,000 kW) on 2 shafts |
| Speed | 17 knots (31 km/h) on diesels; 39 knots (72 km/h) on gas turbines |
| Range | 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h) |
| Complement | 125-146 |
| Armament |
|
The ships were built in the United Kingdom by Vosper Ltd and based on their Mark 5 design with the following arms & equipment:[1]
- ASuW – 1 × quintuple Sea Killer Mk2 surface-to-surface missile
- AAW – 1 × triple Sea Cat surface-to-air missile launcher
- ASW – 1 × 3 barrelled Anti Submarine Mortar Mark 10 Limbo launcher
- Guns – 1 × Mark 8 Mod 0 4.5 inch general purpose & 1 × twin 35mm Oerlikon AA
- Electronics – Plessey AWS 1 air surveillance radar with on-mounted IFF; 2 × Contraves Seahunter systems (For use with Sea cat, Sea Killer & the 35mm mount); Decca RDL 1 passive direction finding equipment
They were refitted in the UK shortly before the 1979 Iranian Revolution.[2]
The ships were originally named after characters from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh. After the Islamic Revolution they were renamed after mountains in Iran.[3]
They saw action during the "Tanker War" phase of the Iran–Iraq War and proved effective against Iraqi forces. After one was sunk, and other significant losses taken, during Operation Praying Mantis they saw little further use as the Iranian Navy proved no match for the U.S. Navy.[4]
The Sea Killer missiles were replaced by Chinese made C-802s in the 1990s. The Sea Cats were replaced by the addition of a 20 mm (0.79 in) AA gun.
Two triple 12.75-inch (324 mm) torpedo tubes, two 81 mm (3 in) mortars and two 0.50 caliber machine guns were also fitted.[3]
The Moudge-class frigate is a modified Iranian-built version of the Alvand class, with five either in service or under construction.[5]
| Ship | Pennant number | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alvand (ex-Saam) | 71 (ex DE 12) | Vosper Thornycroft | 3 March 1968 | 25 July 1968 | May 1971 | In service |
| Alborz (ex-Zaal) | 72 (ex DE 14) | Vickers | 3 March 1968 | 4 March 1969 | 1 March 1971 | In service |
| Sabalan (ex-Rostam) | 73 (ex DE 16) | Vickers | 4 March 1969 | 26 May 1972 | In service | |
| Sahand (ex-Faramarz) | 74 (ex DE 18) | Vosper Thornycroft | 30 July 1969 | February 1972 | sunk on 18 April 1988. |
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