The question of how many submarines does Iran have is central to understanding the asymmetric warfare doctrine that defines the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) and the regular Iranian Naval Forces. While precise numbers are often obscured by military secrecy, the available intelligence suggests a substantial and diverse underwater fleet. This inventory is not merely about quantity; it represents a strategic focus on coastal denial, mine warfare, and the deployment of advanced anti-ship missiles to challenge significantly larger maritime powers in the confined waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Iran’s Twofold Naval Structure
To accurately assess Iran’s submarine capabilities, one must first distinguish between the two separate entities that constitute its maritime defense apparatus. The first is the regular Artesh, which operates conventional military vessels including frigates and Kilo-class submarines. The second is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN), a separate branch that functions as a paramilitary force specializing in asymmetric tactics. Consequently, when analysts attempt to answer how many submarines does Iran have, they must parse the inventories of both the Artesh and the IRGCN to form a complete picture, as the IRGCN frequently operates its own smaller, midget submarines in a domain distinct from the Artesh’s blue-water aspirations.
Conventional Attack Submarines (SSKs)
Iran’s most significant conventional submarines are the three Kilo-class diesel-electric attack submarines, known within Iranian service as the "B-901 Fateh" (Conqueror). These vessels, acquired from Russia in the late 1990s, represent the backbone of the Artesh’s undersea deterrent. The Kilo class is renowned for its quiet acoustic signature and its ability to launch anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. While reports occasionally surface regarding the potential acquisition of additional variants, such as the improved Kilo 636.3, these three units remain the primary heavy-hull underwater assets available to the Iranian Navy, designed to threaten shipping lanes and project power far from the Iranian coastline.
The IRGCN’s Asymmetric Fleet
When aggregating the total number of vessels designed to operate underwater, the picture expands considerably due to the IRGCN’s prolific deployment of midget submarines. These small, shallow-draft boats are the perfect instrument for the IRGCN’s doctrine of harassment and attrition in the narrow choke points of the Strait of Hormuz. While the IRGCN tends to favor swarm tactics with fast attack craft, it maintains a significant contingent of midget submarines capable of launching torpedoes or laying mines. Estimates vary widely, but credible defense analyses suggest the IRGCN operates between 10 and 20 of these unconventional vessels, effectively multiplying the number of targets any maritime force must track in a conflict scenario.
Types and Capabilities
The IRGCN’s midget submarine fleet is heterogeneous, consisting of older North Korean Yono-class vessels and more indigenous designs. The Ghadir-class submarine is a frequently observed type, displacing around 100 tons and capable of operating in the shallow reefs of the Persian Gulf. These submarines are difficult to detect on sonar due to their small size and coastal familiarity. Furthermore, reports indicate the development of semi-submersible vessels, which are technically not true submarines but function as underwater attack platforms. When attempting to solidify an answer to how many submarines does Iran have, these semi-submersible assets complicate the count, as they exist in a grey area between submersible and surface craft.
Strategic Implications and Regional Context
More perspective on How many submarines does iran have can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.
