Iran To Launch First Drone Carrier Shahdid Bagheri, A Converted Boxship

Iran is preparing to launch its first drone carrier, the Shahid Bagheri, a repurposed boxship formerly known as Sarvin, according to exclusive satellite photos acquired by Splash. The vessel was initially bought by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2000 as a 3,280 TEU boxship and has undergone conversion at the ISOICO shipyard near Bandar Abbas. With a 170-meter runway and a more expansive deck, it can accommodate a sizable fleet of fixed-wing long-range drones and is operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have been helped by Iranian hardware and intelligence for the last three months. They have used drones and missiles to target about 35 cargo vessels. Following the start of the Gaza conflict, the Houthis increased the intensity of their attacks and demanded that Israel end its attacks. The automobile transport Galaxy Leader was reportedly taken over in the Yemeni seas.

The semi-official Fars news agency called the Shahid Bagheri a “mobile naval city” to defend Iranian rights as sailors and fishers in international waters and Iran’s commercial routes. Fars emphasised the ship’s contribution to supporting Iran’s dominance over transregional adversaries in the Persian and Oman Gulfs.

According to TankerTrackers.com’s Samir Madani, Iran’s drone carrier might endanger commercial ships in the Arabian Sea and disrupt shipping operations halfway to India. Iran’s direct involvement with the Houthis was recognised by Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the US Navy’s 5th Fleet commander in Middle East operations. Cooper highlighted Iran’s fundraising, resourcing, supplying, and training of the rebel organisation.

The Houthis are receiving additional weaponry from Iran, including medium-range missiles, precision-strike ballistic missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles, and sophisticated drones. Commanders and advisors of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are actively providing expertise, data, and intelligence to identify ships bound for Israel, thereby influencing Houthi targets in the Red Sea.

The sources attest to Tehran’s increased assistance of the Houthis since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October, which was sparked by Hamas, an Iranian-backed militant group, attacking Israel.

Reference: Splash 247

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Source: Maritime Shipping News