IRIS Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis

Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis
History
Iran
NameAbu Mahdi al-Muhandis
NamesakeAbu Mahdi al-Muhandis
OwnerIran
OperatorNavy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
BuilderShahid Mahallati Shipyard, Bushehr
In service2024–2026
Home portBandar Abbas, Iran
FateSunk during the 2026 Iran conflict
StatusDestroyed
NotesHull number: PC313-01
General characteristics
TypeMissile corvette
Displacement300 tonnes
Length48.0 m (157 ft 6 in)
Beam12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Installed powerDiesel engine
Propulsion4 × engines
Speed37 knots (69 km/h)
Range2,000 nmi (3,700 km)
Endurance14 days[1]
Sensors &
processing systems
Radars and latest electronics
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • Unknown EW
  • 2 × Chaff dispensers
Armament
Aircraft carriedVTOL drones

IRIS Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was an Iranian missile corvette with hull number PC313-01. It was the lead ship of the Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis class of missile corvettes. It is the third indigenous high-aspect-ratio twin-hull (HARTH) class of vessel unveiled on 6 January 2024 in Bandar Abbas by Iran after the Shahid Nazeri class commissioned in 2016 and Shahid Soleimani class commissioned in 2022. The lead ship was named after Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis who was the former deputy head of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units, and was assassinated alongside Qasem Soleimani in the US drone strike on 3 January 2020.[2] Like the other two classes of ships, this ship was also in service with IRGC.

Design

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, like the Shahid Soleimani-class corvettes profits from a catamaran design and features stealth capabilities, aimed at eluding enemy detection, but is half the size of the latter. The special design of the missile boat makes it difficult for enemy radar and reconnaissance systems to detect its presence in the waters.[3] Unlike the other two HARTH classes in service with IRGC, this ship lacks proper aviation facility and can only handle VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

2026 Iran War

On 11 March 2026, CENTCOM released video of the ship's destruction during a US airstrike, while she was pierside.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Iran Receives Two New Warships, Unveils Defense Systems". Nigar Bayramli. Caspian News. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  2. ^ Hassan, Falih; Rubin, Alissa J.; Crowley, Michael (2 January 2020). "Iraqi TV Reports Strike Kills Powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Iran Unveils Catamaran Corvette "Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis," Armed with Long-Range Cruise Missiles". Defence Security Asia. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Iran conflict 2026: CENTCOM commander says all IRGCN Soleimani class destroyed". Default. 2026-03-11. Retrieved 2026-03-12.