Iranian Navy Warship Capsizes During Repairs At The Port Of Bandar Abbas

The Iranian Naval frigate Sahand capsized during repairs at the southern port of Bandar Abbas, as reported by the Iranian state media on July 7, 2024.

The vessel lost balance while docked at the port due to water ingress, resulting in several minor injuries.

According to the official news agency IRNA, efforts are underway to rebalance the Sahand as soon as possible.

The incident reportedly occurred at a shallow depth, allowing the frigate to stabilize.

Several people were hospitalized with minor injuries, although the precise timing of the incident remains unknown.

The Sahand, a Moudge-class frigate, was launched in December 2018 after six years of construction.

The vessel features a 1,300-tonne displacement and advanced weaponry, including anti-aircraft batteries, highly sophisticated radar systems, and surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles.

Recent modifications included new radar systems and increased medium-range air-defense missiles and anti-ship missiles, which may impact the vessel’s stability.

This is not the first time an Iranian naval vessel has capsized.

In January 2018, another warship, the Damavand, sank in the Caspian Sea after hitting a seawall.

In June 2021, the Kharg sank in the Gulf of Oman after it caught fire.

The first Sahand, a British-built Alvand-class frigate, was destroyed by US forces in 1988, killing 45 crew members.

The Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex (ISOICO) stated that the Sahand might be repaired despite the damage.

However, saltwater immersion is known to be extremely damaging to electronic devices, potentially necessitating extensive repairs or replacements.

The Norwegian frigate Helge Ingstad, decommissioned due to the enormous cost of fixing saltwater-damaged systems, is the most suitable example.

The Sahand’s capsize exposes longstanding issues in the Iranian navy, raising concerns about the stability and reliability of its vessels, especially after significant modifications.

Reference: Reuters, Sky News