Monday, March 4, 2013

Iranian Navy Ships Dock at Chinese Port

Peaceful Encounter with U.S.S Stockdale


Iranian Navy’s 24th Fleet, comprising IRIS Sabalan (73), a frigate, and IRIS Kharg (431), a replenishment ship, docked in China's Zhangjiagang port on Monday, Iran Navy Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Siavash Jarreh said today. The ships sailed 13,000 kilometers from their base at Bandar Abbas. Their journey started on 20 January. (IRNA/Press TV, 4 March)

The Iranian admiral added a USS destroyer registered under hull number DDG106 (U.S.S Stockdale) came across Iran Navy's 24th fleet at the Strait of Malacca and asked for permission to approach it.

“Due to foul weather, the presence of the 24th fleet of Iran Navy at the [Malacca] Strait and the west of the Pacific Ocean surprised the US destroyer,” Adm. Jarreh added.

Top file photo: IRIS Sabalan (73), a frigate (Fars)
Bottom file photo: IRIS Kharg (431),
a replenishment ship at Suez (IRNA)

24 comments:

Yossarian said...

DDG 106 = U.S.S Stockdale...A nice new late model Arleigh Burke Class destroyer. The Pacific Ocean truly in the U.S Navy's backyard. I wonder what would have happened if the U.S destroyer insisted on boarding the Kharg for and "inspection" of stores, per U.N mandate? That would have been interesting, to say the least.

Nader Uskowi said...

Thanks for identifying the ship; added to the post.

Yossarian said...

In this case, the Iranian "press" probably got the ship right for once. The U.S.S Stockdale is currently operating in the South Pacific/Southeast Asia region, with the U.S 7th fleet. They probably really were surprised on an individual level to encounter an Iranian naval group in the region, even though I am certain the "higher ups" in command were aware of it being present. In fact, I'd be utterly shocked if the U.S Navy was not tracking the Iranian surface group for a good part of it's journey, such as with an attack submarine, upon it's entering the Indian Ocean. I can't imagine the Sabalan's sonar package would have been much of an issue for say a Los Angeles Class SSN to overcome while underway on the high seas.

Anonymous said...

Yossarian, you live in eternal Catch-22. If you were an adult you would know that armed naval ships can not be boarded for "inspection", it is called an ACT OF WAR. Do you think the US would risk a war on the Chinese coast in North Pacific? How old are you anyway? Your Janes book on Naval warships is a bit dated. Stick to reality son.

Anonymous said...

If they force themselves into our ship, they will get a response in Persian Gulf for sure.

Anonymous said...

nothing that the USN can't VERY easily handle, friend although it might well result in the sinking of every rust bucket in the Iranian navy.

Anonymous said...

Yossarian maybe has a tendency to exaggerate. He previously predicted that Iranian ship with containers will be chased and stopped by the warships of the West , before it reaches the Persian Gulf...

I would rather suggest to concentrate your attention on purposes of this and other previous past journeys of the Iranian Navy.

One important thing is that this historical and other journeys test a freedom of accesses by the Iranian Navy. Any interference from adversaries would expose their double standards and question rights to the "innocent" Persian Gulf's passages.

Second important thing is the presence of the IRIS Kharg, during this and other crucial journeys.
The Kharg has ability to carry up to three Sea King helicopters or other substitutes, they can be used for a surveillance tasks and detect submarines in the fleet's vicinities too as well.
That ship was commissioned in the 80's and has significant space and displacement, therefore it can perform other tasks in addition to the replenishment ship's duties.
During previous journeys, the Zionist's press expressed concerns about ship's cargoes. Was there something more beside fuels, water and food stuff ??

It would not be a surprise if they would visit the DPRK, as the US citizen Mr. Dennis Rodman did...

A-F

Mark Pyruz said...

IRIN 24th Task Force has reached the Pacific Ocean. Remarkable.

Anonymous said...

Since when are 1-2 navy ships a task force? Get real.

mat said...

IRAN's naval force has opened a new chapter in cruising international waters.

Anonymous said...

Why does this article have a photo showing the Kharg passing through the Suez canal?

Nader Uskowi said...

That's a file photo, as explained in photo credit part of the post. No photos of the ships at the Chinese port were available at the time of this post.

Yossarian said...

In the situation presented, the Kharg would have risked a boarding "inspection" by either U.S or U.K warships, if it was not escorted by the Sabalan. That is a fact. If anything, the Iranians should have included a second corvette/frigate in this "task force." The U.S gives less than a damn about international law, when it comes to the Iranians. Iran is viewed as a "rogue state."

In any pointblank range shoot-out between the U.S.S Stockdale and the Sabalan and Kharg, nobody would win. Everyone gets bloodied. Further U.S/NATO units would arrive in short order, and I would not expect China to get involved in anything more than helping to rescue survivors. It is not to their benefit in any way at this time.

Ironically, the only time a modern U.S destroyer would risk serious damage to a single Iranian warship in the IRIN's current inventory, is during an event like I stated. Where it comes down to simply throwing "slugs" at each other. Once the range increases, forget about it.

Yossarian said...

The Iranian tanker got lucky. The U.S Navy was not actively looking for it. As for the Kharg, it is an oiler and resupply ship. Nothing more. The original helicopter complement was installed to facilitate transfer of fuel, supplies and personnel to warships while underway at sea.

The Iranian propaganda machine likes to refer to the Kharg, a mid-60's era British designed and built ship, as a helicopter carrier. It is not, and it is laughable to do so. It's small helicopter contingent's ability at surveillance is also rather limited. The Kharg was not designed to process massive amounts of air and sea data in a vast CIC complex. That is a fact.

In reality, the Iranians see the Kharg as a "mothership" of sorts. An oiler, supply ship, that can operate helicopters and even small watercraft, with a small marine contingent, and act as a sort of command ship. In this regard, it is rather limited in anything but the first two capabilities.

Perhaps the Iranians may someday replace it with something better. They almost certainly will have to. A more dedicated platform of sorts. I've heard the idea has been kicked around, but the reality is a ways off.

Anonymous said...

I have been assured by people in the IRIS that our fleet can find Israel's Dolphin class submarines anywhere in the world within six minutes and destroy them quickly.
The zionists do not stand a chance against us, soon we can own the Indian Ocean!

Yossarian said...

Anything more than a single ship is a task force. It is more silly that this is refereed to as Iran's 24th fleet...The U.S only has seven!

Yossarian said...

Amen. They are now where Europe was in the 15th century, and the Arabs in the 10th.

Yossarian said...

Why would you say it is remarkable? Iranian flagged ships sail all over the world, everyday.

Yossarian said...

Pleeeeaaaassssseeeeee tell me you are joking? Sarcasm, right? Maybe?

Anonymous said...

Yossarian, perhaps Iran has divided its naval assets into that many groups. I mean, they do have quite a number of naval vessels spread over different types, afterall. I haven't counted, but it's well over 200. Also, the two sides military organization and structure are probably worlds apart.

Anonymous said...

Yossarian you sound as crazy as your character. Are you very lonely and socially isolated or just on an attention seeking binge on an obscure blog. Get help dude!

Anonymous said...

Iran should quit calling two ships a fleet. Also while in China they should be negotiating the purchase of The Type 054A (Jiangkai II) frigate which is a Chinese multi-role warship ideal for Iran.

Yossarian said...

If you think the Iranians are about to directly buy major Chinese warships, you have no idea what the Iranians are up to.

Anonymous said...

Anon 1:46

you're either an obvious liar or are repeating obvious lies that you're too ignorant not yo repeat.