U.S military is currently the most powerful force in the world.
It has by far the highest military budget which is around $700 billion per year.
The U.S has a homegrown military-industrial complex that is able to produce cutting edge
weapon platforms.
It has been at the forefront of many grounds breaking technologies when it comes to military
weapons.
There are many systems present in U.S arsenal which have no counterparts, for example, the
B2 Spirit stealth bomber.
But there is one weapon that doesn't make many headlines like the high profile once
but is a very important tactical asset.
It is the P 8 Poseidon.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes why P 8 Poseidon will be the key for the United
States when it comes to defeating Iran’s submarine force?
Let’s get started.
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Tensions between the US and Iran have risen sharply since Donald Trump withdrew from a
2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and several world powers.
Trump administration also reinstated sanctions on Tehran.
Last month, in response undisclosed Iranian treats, U.S moved USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft
carrier strike group to the region.
It also deployed B-52H Stratofortress bombers and Patriot air defense in the region.
President Donald Trump also cleared the way for sending 1,500 more troops to bolster the
American forces in the region.
War of words has ceased to die down with both sides continuing to hurl threats at each other.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated that Iran would never start a war,
but would defeat any country that attacks it.
Zarif stated, "Whoever starts a war with us will not be the one who finishes it.”
Iran warned that it may withdraw from the deal and resume nuclear enrichment beyond
purposes necessary for its peaceful nuclear program, indicating that it may pursue the
development of nukes, unless other nations in the deal can find a way to offset the impact
of the stringent U.S sanctions.
Things got worse after US & Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for the for last month’s attacks on
oil tankers in a United Arab Emirates port.
In any conflict with Iran, the Strait of Hormuz will play a critical role.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.
It is one of the world's most strategically important choke points.
On the north coast lies Iran and on the south coast the United Arab Emirates and Musandam,
an exclave of Oman.
At its narrowest, the strait has a width of only 21 nautical miles or 39 km.
Around 33% of the world’s liquefied natural gas and almost 20% of total global oil production
passes through the strait making it one of the most important sea routes.
Because of its narrow width, many analysts think that it can be easily secured and Iran
will be able to inflict massive damage to any force trying to invade it through this
passage.
The belief has been strengthened by many studies and Iran's naval ability, especially it's
capacity to defend the strait has been acknowledged by even its rivals.
In a Sep 11, 2008 report, the Washington Institute for the Near East Policy said that in the
two decades since the Iraqi imposed war on Iran, thE Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
or IRGC has excelled in naval capabilities and is able to wage unique asymmetric warfare
against larger naval forces.
According to the report, the IRGC Navy has been transformed into a highly motivated,
well-equipped, and well-financed force and is effectively in control of the world’s
oil lifeline, the Strait of Hormuz.
Over the years, Iran has specifically devised strategies to hold on to the strait and its
submarine force will play a critical part in that endeavor.
A major portion of Iran's military power originates from its submarine fleet which is by far the
most potent arm of its Navy.
Iran has put its money on submarines instead of surface ships.
It has a particularly high percentage of undersea combatants when compared to the total size
of its Navy.
Iran’s has around 10 operational warships which include some corvettes, frigates whereas
it deploys around 35 submarines.
These include around 20 homemade Ghadir class and 4 North Korean Yugo class.
The most potent submarine in the fleet is the Russian Kilo class which displaces around
2325 tons.
Iran has 3 of these.
Iran is also fielding indigenously developed Fateh class vessels which are having a displacement
of 600 tons to fit between Ghadir class & Kilo class.
One is in active service and another is expected to be deployed soon.
Some other class of sub like Nahang is also present in limited numbers.
It is important to note that all of these submarines have 533 mm torpedo tubes and mine-laying
capability.
As reported in Iranian state media, Fateh class vessels can even fire anti-ship cruise
missiles from a submerged position.
None of these subs is nuclear powered and far less advanced than American or Russian
once that can project power around the world.
But they are suitable for the purpose they are meant for.
They are well served with diesel-electric propulsion as they will remain close to the
Strait of Hormuz and the limited range won’t matter.
Also, being small in size these will be able to maneuver easily in the littoral waters.
Keeping all these aspects in view, it can be said that Iran’s submarine force definitely
pose a challenge for the American Navy.
The P-8 Poseidon is developed by Boeing & is modified from the 737-800ERX.
It is capable of anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and shipping
interdiction.
It also has early warning self-protection (EWSP) ability.
Powered by 2 × CFM56-7B27A turbofans that are capable of generating 121 kN of thrust,
it is able to reach a maximum speed of 490 knots or 907 km/h.
It has a combat radius: 1,200 nmi or 2,222 km that enables it to cover large swaths of
ocean.
The P-8 is equipped with radar, optical and sonar sensors to detect submarines.
It is able to drop and monitor sonobuoys which are basically expendable sonar systems.
It has 5 internal and 6 external stations for weapons and can deploy AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER,
AGM-84 Harpoon, Mark 54 torpedo, missiles, mines and smart as well as free-fall bombs.
AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER (Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response) is an advanced standoff precision-guided,
air-launched cruise missile produced by Boeing Defense.
It has subsonic speed and a range of 170 mi or 270 km.
The AGM-84 Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, developed and manufactured
by Boeing Defense.
It is a subsonic missile and has a speed in excess of 67 nmi or 124 km.
The MARK 54 LIGHTWEIGHT TORPEDO is a standard 12.75 inch (324 mm) anti-submarine warfare
(ASW) torpedo used by the United States Navy.
P-8A is the American variant and the U.S has received delivery of more than 90 of these
with approximately additional 30 on order.
P-8 Poseidon's capability in dealing with submarines will be especially important when
we take into account the Iranian battle plan.
U.S Force will not need to put it its surface vessels and sub to counter the Iranian submarine
fleet.
American Air Force are expected to quickly gain air superiority owing to its vast technological
and numerical superiority.
Once that is achieved, the P-8s will fly over the Strait of Hormuz unchallenged.
These will be able to detect and attack the subs without facing the risk of being fired
on.
In a sense, we can say that P-8 Poseidon will be able to offset the geographical advantage
that Iran possesses and will be able to significantly cut down chances of American losses.