One of Iran’s most important naval assets, previously the biggest in its fleet IRIS Kharg
has caught fire and sunk in the Gulf of Oman.
The fire reportedly broke out in the engine house on June 2 at around 2:25 am local time
and the ship sunk around 20 hours later.
All efforts to put out the blaze failed.
The crew battled the fire with only 33 injured and no deaths but could not save the ship,
only the sea could extinguish the flames at the end.
A spokesman from the Iranian Navy said the fire was so intense that half of the ship’s
hull melted and broke off.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes why the sinking of IRIS Kharg is a great loss
for Iran?
Let's get into the details.
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The IRIS Kharg was a modified Ol-class fleet replenishment oiler of the Islamic Republic
of Iran Navy, named after Kharg Island.
Built by Swan Hunter in the United Kingdom and launched in 1977, it was delivered to
Iran in 1984.
Kharg was Iran's largest naval vessel based on tonnage until the launch of Makran in early
2021
Her design is described by Jane's Fighting Ships as "incorporating some of the features"
of the class and fitted to carry dry stores and ammunition in addition to fuel.
Kharg displaced 11,242 tonnes with standard load and up to 33,544 tonnes when fully loaded.
It had a gross tonnage of 18,880 and a deadweight tonnage of 9,517 tonnes.
According to Jane's the vessel was 207.2 m (679 ft 9 in) long, had a beam of 26.5 m (86
ft 11 in) and a draft of 9.2 m (30 ft 2 in).
The power generation system was designed to produce 7,000 kW of electricity and to provide
20.04 megawatts (26,870 hp)
The ship was capable of reaching a nominal top speed of 21.5 knots (39.8 km/h; 24.7 mph)
It was armed with a single 76 mm naval gun manufactured by Italian defense company Oto
Melara.
Kharg was also equipped with four USSR 23 mm anti-aircraft autocannons arranged in two
twin mounts, as well as two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns.
Her crew consisted of 248 officers and men.
Kharg had a helipad with twin hangars, giving her sufficient capacity to accomodate three
helicopters
The International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) classified Kharg as an AORH, i.e. fleet
replenishment oiler with replenishment at sea (RAS) capability and hangar.
Only two other Iranian vessels are capable of conducting RAS operations, the Bushehr
and the 230-meter (755 ft) long Makran, which was commissioned in 2021.
An assessment published by Stratfor in 2014, mentions that Kharg was an essential long-distance
blue-water asset for the IRIN because of her ability to extend the range of Iranian warships,
adding that "without this vessel, the small number of Iranian frigates would be unable
to embark on extended deployments without consistent and frequent port visits along
the way".
Eric H. Arnett, a project leader at Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI),
commented that Kharg could provide extra operational flexibility for the Iranian fleet and her
capacity to carry large and heavy helicopters like Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King could improve
the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the naval group it belonged to.
While the cause of the fire is unconfirmed as of now there is precedence that indicates
that there is a possibility of hostile action.
IRIS Kharg's loss comes at a time when there has been a series of explosions aboard other
ships in the Gulf of Oman, although, so far, none have sunk.
Iran and Israel are apparently engaged in targeting each other for some time now.
There are reports of Israel special forces conducting covert attacks on Iranian ships
carrying oil, as well as ammunition, to Syria, where it is supporting Bashar Al Assad regime.
As per Wall Street Journal, Israeli began this campaign against Iranian shipping in
late 2019 and has since targeted at least a dozen ships with weapons including naval
mines.
In April this year, the M/V Savitz, widely believed to be a mothership for the country’s
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was also hit by an attack in the Red Sea.
The ship is thought to have been used to assist Houthi rebels in Yemen and used for different
types of clandestine operations in the region.
Iranian officials suspected the attack has been carried out by Israel, yet did not immediately
blame any party.
On 7 April, The New York Times reported that Israel notified the US that it was responsible
for the attack on the Saviz.
It is 3rd warship lost since 2018
Loss of IRIS Kharg is a setback for Tehran’s global ambitions.
The vessel was an important asset for Iranian plan to operate beyond the Middle East.
For example, when Iranian warships sailed to the Mediterranean in 2011 Kharg was a key
part of the group.
In 2014, when Iran said that it was sending warships to the Atlantic, Kharg was deployed.
Since Iran doesn't operate nuclear-powered vessels, IRIS Kharg was essential for any
long-range mission.
Kharg also acted as a training vessel, carrying 300 to 400 naval cadets.
At the time of the accident, Kharg had 400 cadets aboard that were set to join in a training
exercise with the Russian Navy.
Since Iran has a modest shipbuilding industry, it unlikely that they can build a replacement
very soon.