IRIN Fits Frigates with Ghader Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles

IRIN Commander Habibollah Sayyari said on Saturday that the Iranian navy has fielded its Ghader anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) on its frigates.

Ghader ASCM, unveiled in 2011, can now be launched from multiple platforms: Ground-launched (see the video above); launched from ships (frigates as announced by IRIN); and air-launched (fitted on F-4E Phantoms).

The ship- and air-launched Ghader cruise missiles increase Iran’s naval defensive as well as offensive capabilities significantly in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Video: Iranian Navy  (Reuters/YouTube)

IRGCN Up-Arms Tondar Fast Attack Craft with Qader Missile

IRGC Navy (IRGCN) has refitted its Tondar fast attack craft (FAC) with Qader anti-ship missiles (AShM). Iran imported 10 Tondars from China in the mid-1990s. They remain the largest combat vessels in the IRGCN's fleet. (HIS Jane’s 360, 10 April)

The Tondar FACs were originally armed with Chinese C-802 anti-ship missiles and later its Iranian-version Noor. The domestically produced Qaders are extended range C-802/3 variant, with a range of 200 km and GPS assisted. Qader went into production in 2011.

Qader, first produced as shore-based launchers, are now being used on different platforms. They are  fitted on F-4 Phantom fighters as air-launched anti-ship cruise missiles, and on Kaman (Combattante II)-class FACs and Jamaran-class frigates.

File photo: Qader Anti-Ship Missile (IranMilitaryForum.net)