In the latter months of 2023, Iran's ongoing conversion project garnered attention on social media platform, showcasing images of a logistics vessel—a tanker—transformed into a drone/aircraft carrier.
The images indicate that the ship's deck underwent a transformation into a flat landing pad/runway. Notably, a ski-jump feature was incorporated on the bow side, and satellite imagery revealed the presence of an angled runway achieved through a deck extension on the starboard side, facilitating aircraft landings. Initially, the superstructure, akin to the islands found on conventional aircraft carriers, spanned across the beam, seemingly posing a challenge to landings. However, the incorporation of the angled deck implies the provision of approximately 150 meters of unobstructed landing space for deploying aircraft on this vessel.
On the other hand, this practice raises questions as it introduces a limited-angle window for landing operations, potentially leading to a collision risk with the island structure. Despite these concerns, the design of the landing deck appears to accommodate touch-and-go maneuvers, providing an alternative in the event of a landing sequence failure.
The feasibility and practicality of implementing such a design conversion are subjects of doubt and scrutiny. However, this conversion does provide a functional platform for the Iranian Navy, serving as a training and practice vessel until the possibility of acquiring a dedicated drone carrier through an ally materializes. Drawing upon foundational naval architecture knowledge, it can be asserted that commercial ships typically lack the inherent capability to undergo such extensive conversions and maintain operational efficacy after a certain age.
Notably, the ship in question does not bear resemblance to existing vessels like IRIS Makran, IRIS Kangan, or IRIS Shahid Roudaki. Assuming it to be a converted vessel, its prior service as a tanker raises doubts about its suitability for active military duty, considering the inherent differences in functionality and structural requirements between tanker and military carrier vessels.
In its current design configuration, the ship appears to lack essential components such as a close-in-weapon system, stabilized gun turrets, search radars/laser detection systems, infrared search and track systems or other advanced sensors. This absence of critical defensive and surveillance equipment suggests that the vessel is more aptly suited for training purposes rather than combat duties. The absence of these key elements may limit its effectiveness in a combat scenario, reinforcing the notion that its primary role is likely centered around training activities. Furthermore, the ship appears to be deficient in sensors or datalinks crucial for effective coordination with airborne assets. The absence of these essential components raises concerns about the vessel's ability to seamlessly integrate and communicate with aerial platforms. This limitation underscores its potential limitations in conducting comprehensive and coordinated operations involving airborne assets, further reinforcing its suitability for training purposes rather than for active combat duties.
Similarly, in previous years, Iran undertook the conversion of IRIS Makran, a former tanker, and another logistics ship into a forward operations airbase, equipping them with features such as access to the main deck, ramps, and landing pads. However, the current conversion project appears to be more extensive and radical in nature than any previously observed. The transformation of the logistics vessel into a drone/aircraft carrier reflects a comprehensive modification, surpassing the scope and innovation witnessed in previous conversion endeavors.
Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, M/V Perarin operated as a containership from 2000 to 2021. Subsequently, it was transferred to the Iranian Navy. The vessel is currently 23 years old, and considering optimal economic and safety standards, it has approximately 12 more years of service life remaining.
As a footnote;
Containerships, known for their large deck openings and high stability features that allow them to carry loads beyond the deck line, are generally suitable for conversion with the addition of a new deck (landing). However, the current images of the ship suggest that it has not been modified to include interior decks or passageways through bulkheads. While it's typical for such ships to have passageways through bulkheads for equipment transfer, none are apparent at the moment. Additionally, the absence of a side double hull leaves the vessel susceptible to significant flooding in the event of damage, therefore not suiting typical warship arrangements.
The incorporation of interior decks could have served as effective bulkheads to control flooding across different zones. Additionally, the ship appears to only be equipped with an elevator in one position: the fore-starboard side of the island. These structural considerations raise concerns about the ship's resilience and ability to manage potential flooding scenarios, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in its current configuration.
Source for images: Navy_Iranian , HI Sutton
The images indicate that the ship's deck underwent a transformation into a flat landing pad/runway. Notably, a ski-jump feature was incorporated on the bow side, and satellite imagery revealed the presence of an angled runway achieved through a deck extension on the starboard side, facilitating aircraft landings. Initially, the superstructure, akin to the islands found on conventional aircraft carriers, spanned across the beam, seemingly posing a challenge to landings. However, the incorporation of the angled deck implies the provision of approximately 150 meters of unobstructed landing space for deploying aircraft on this vessel.
On the other hand, this practice raises questions as it introduces a limited-angle window for landing operations, potentially leading to a collision risk with the island structure. Despite these concerns, the design of the landing deck appears to accommodate touch-and-go maneuvers, providing an alternative in the event of a landing sequence failure.
The feasibility and practicality of implementing such a design conversion are subjects of doubt and scrutiny. However, this conversion does provide a functional platform for the Iranian Navy, serving as a training and practice vessel until the possibility of acquiring a dedicated drone carrier through an ally materializes. Drawing upon foundational naval architecture knowledge, it can be asserted that commercial ships typically lack the inherent capability to undergo such extensive conversions and maintain operational efficacy after a certain age.
Notably, the ship in question does not bear resemblance to existing vessels like IRIS Makran, IRIS Kangan, or IRIS Shahid Roudaki. Assuming it to be a converted vessel, its prior service as a tanker raises doubts about its suitability for active military duty, considering the inherent differences in functionality and structural requirements between tanker and military carrier vessels.
In its current design configuration, the ship appears to lack essential components such as a close-in-weapon system, stabilized gun turrets, search radars/laser detection systems, infrared search and track systems or other advanced sensors. This absence of critical defensive and surveillance equipment suggests that the vessel is more aptly suited for training purposes rather than combat duties. The absence of these key elements may limit its effectiveness in a combat scenario, reinforcing the notion that its primary role is likely centered around training activities. Furthermore, the ship appears to be deficient in sensors or datalinks crucial for effective coordination with airborne assets. The absence of these essential components raises concerns about the vessel's ability to seamlessly integrate and communicate with aerial platforms. This limitation underscores its potential limitations in conducting comprehensive and coordinated operations involving airborne assets, further reinforcing its suitability for training purposes rather than for active combat duties.
Similarly, in previous years, Iran undertook the conversion of IRIS Makran, a former tanker, and another logistics ship into a forward operations airbase, equipping them with features such as access to the main deck, ramps, and landing pads. However, the current conversion project appears to be more extensive and radical in nature than any previously observed. The transformation of the logistics vessel into a drone/aircraft carrier reflects a comprehensive modification, surpassing the scope and innovation witnessed in previous conversion endeavors.
Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, M/V Perarin operated as a containership from 2000 to 2021. Subsequently, it was transferred to the Iranian Navy. The vessel is currently 23 years old, and considering optimal economic and safety standards, it has approximately 12 more years of service life remaining.
As a footnote;
Containerships, known for their large deck openings and high stability features that allow them to carry loads beyond the deck line, are generally suitable for conversion with the addition of a new deck (landing). However, the current images of the ship suggest that it has not been modified to include interior decks or passageways through bulkheads. While it's typical for such ships to have passageways through bulkheads for equipment transfer, none are apparent at the moment. Additionally, the absence of a side double hull leaves the vessel susceptible to significant flooding in the event of damage, therefore not suiting typical warship arrangements.
The incorporation of interior decks could have served as effective bulkheads to control flooding across different zones. Additionally, the ship appears to only be equipped with an elevator in one position: the fore-starboard side of the island. These structural considerations raise concerns about the ship's resilience and ability to manage potential flooding scenarios, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in its current configuration.
Source for images: Navy_Iranian , HI Sutton
