Iran Navy Sina-class fast attack craft dock at Astrakhan, Russia

Russian media imagery of arriving Iran Navy Sina-class fast attack craft on 21OCT15 at Astrakhan, Russia. Note: the larger, deep-draft IRINS Damavand (77) Moudge-class frigate (FFGH) remains anchored at sea at the entry to the Volga-Caspian Canal.

Navigating the Volga-Caspian Canal into Astrkhan

Foreground: IRINS Joshan (P225) Sina-class fast attack craft (PGGF)

Background: IRINS Peykan (P224) Sina class fast attack-craft (PGGF)

IRINS Joshan (P225) Sina-class fast attack craft (PGGF) approaching dock at Asrtrakhan, Russia

IRINS Joshan (P225) Sina-class fast attack craft docking assisted by Russian Naval dock worker

IRINS Peykan (P224) Sina-class fast attack craft (PGGF)

IRINS Peykan (P224) Sina-class fast attack craft approaching dock at Asrtrakhan, Russia, with dockside Russian Naval band accompaniment.

Iran Navy Sina-class fast attack craft successfully docked at Astrakhan, Russia

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri in command of the flotilla, at the gangway

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri (R) and Russian Navy captain 1st rank of Caspian Flotilla (L) address the press

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri receiving Russian traditional offering of bread and salt

Artesh contingent includes army colonel (L1) and two navy lieutenant commanders, commanding officers of IRINS Joshan (R1) and Peykan (R2).

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri shakes hands with Russian Navy captain 3rd rank

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri returns salute to Russian Navy captain 3rd rank

IRIN Capt. Ahmad Reza Bagheri with ranking officers of Artesh delegation at Astrakhan, Russia

IRIN officers aboard Sina-class fast attack craft, behind DShKM type heavy machine gun

IRIN master chief petty officer (foreground) and chief petty officer (background)

Commanding officer of IRINS Joshan (P225) fast attack craft

IRIN lieutenant junior grade below Furono radar antennae, aboard IRINS Joshan (P225 fast attack craft

Photos: Michail Varlashin at astranovosti.ru

IRINS Damavand sets out for Astarakhan and Baku

Departure of IRINS Damavand (77) Moudge class frigate

According to Tasnim News Agency:

Iran’s homegrown destroyer Damavand, accompanied by two missile-launching frigates, left the country’s northern waters on Sunday for an overseas mission to Russia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Iranian fleet departed from the country’s Caspian port city of Bandar Anzali on Sunday morning. Its itinerary includes a port call at Astrakhan, a city in southern European Russia.

The Iranian naval fleet, which also includes Peykan and Joshan frigates, is scheduled to dock at Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, on its way back home. A total of 200 Navy servicemen are aboard the fleet in this mission, which is planned to last 14 days.

The purpose of the mission is to have an exchange of experiences, boost preparedness, and respond to a recent visit to Iran of a Russian naval fleet as part of routine naval interactions, Iran’s Navy said.

COMMENTARY: This is the first excursion of IRINS with foreign Port of Calls. The two ships joining in the foreign tour are:

- IRINS Paykan (P224) Sina class patrol missile boat
- IRINS Joshan (P225) Sina class patrol missile boat

Paykan and Joshan previously visited Astarakhan, Russia in 2013. Damavand officially joined IRIN on 09MAR15.

Bow section of IRINS Damavand with view of IRIN Naval Jack

Koran departure ceremony for IRIN petty officers first class

Koran departure ceremony for IRIN (possibly CAPT Bagheri). In the background is RDML2 Rezaei-Hadad, Commander of 4th Naval Region - Bandar Anzali.

Detail of Fajr-27 (OTO Melara) 76 mm naval gun

Detail of emblem for IRINS Damavand frigate, located on ship's funnel

Detail of ship's placard for IRINS Damavand frigate

Midship section of IRINS Damavand frigate, including view of phased-array radar and AShCM launchers

Detail of midship section of IRINS Damavand frigate

Helicopter deck of IRINS Damavand frigate, with view of Haraz tugboat

Anzali tugboat assisting IRINS Damavand frigate

Anzali and unidentified tugboat from Nowshahr assisting IRINS Damavand frigate

Photos: M. Mohammadi at Islamic Republic News Agency

China's deputy chief of staff meets with IRIN and IRGC in Tehran

PLAN Admiral Sun Jianguo with IRIN Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, on 14OCT15 in Tehran

According to Reuters:

China wants to deepen military ties with Iran, a senior Chinese admiral was quoted as saying on Thursday after a meeting with Iran's defense minister in Tehran.

Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army, told Iranian Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan that China paid great attention to developing relations with Iran, China's Defence Ministry said.

"The aim of this delegation's visit is to further promote friendship, deepen cooperation and exchange views with Iran on bilateral military ties and issues of mutual concern," Sun said, according to the statement.

The trip will also "promote the preservation of international and regional peace and stability", he added.

COMMENTARY: As seen in this post's photos, PLAN Admiral Sun Jianguo, who is Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, met with IRIN Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari and his staff of naval officers.

Sayyari stated that Iran and China have agreed to increase collaboration in educational and technical training centers. He further stated the Chinese deputy chief of staff discussed and agreed upon the issue of providing security and safety for merchant shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and South East Asia. [source: Mashregh News]

PLAN Admiral Sun Jianguo with IRGC Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Armed Forces General Staff Intelligence and Operations Deputy, on 14OCT15 in Tehran.

COMMENTARY: PLAN Admiral Sun Jianguo  also met with IRGC Major General Mohammad Bagheri. Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff Intelligence and Operations Deputy said that the two discussed measures to strengthen bilateral defense relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and People's Republic of China. [source: Defa Press]

IRGC Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Armed Forces General Staff Intelligence and Operations Deputy

PLAN Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army

Chinese and Iranian military conference held on 14OCT15 in Tehran

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency