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On November 27, 2020, IRINN TV (Iran) aired a report about the Sahand destroyer, which was added to the southern fleet of the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran in December 2018. The reporter described Sahand’s capabilities and armaments, which include a guided 76mm cannon, Ghader and Ghadir cruise missiles, the Kamand point-defense system, 533mm torpedoes, various electronic warfare and radar technologies, and a helicopter pad large enough for a Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopter. The reporter said that these technologies enable Sahand to participate in combat, search-and-rescue, and ground operations.
Reporter: "On December 1, 2018, by order of [Iranian Army Commander-in-Chief) General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the third 'Sahand" Iranian destroyer, ship identifier 74, joined the southern fleet of the navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in an official ceremony.
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"The Sahand destroyer is 94 meters long and 11 meters wide. It is propelled by two powerful engines and four diesel generators, which also provide electricity to the destroyer. Sahand has a speed of 30 knots, which is 56 kilometers per hour. This is very fast compared to similar vessels. Among its capabilities, Sahand can sail 3,000 nautical miles, which is 5,500 kilometers.
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"The military vessel Sahand is equipped with various weapons. This includes the Fajr-27 76mm cannon, in the heart of the ship.This cannon has 85 shells in storage, and it can fire them all in one minute. It can be used against other naval vessels, to defend the destroyer from aerial attacks, and for bombarding the enemy's shores in support of naval and ground operations. One of Sahand's important capabilities – compared to other Mowj-class vessels – is that its 76mm cannon is guided by an advanced electro-optic system.
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"[Sahand] is equipped with cruise missiles, which enable it to engage enemy vessels from a great distance, and without being seen. The Sahand destroyer is equipped with four Ghader cruise missiles, which have a range of 200 kilometers, and Ghadir missiles, which have a range of 300 kilometers. Sahand's cruise missiles use a fire-and-forget [system] and remain locked on to their targets without relying on the launcher. The radar that is installed in these missiles' warheads is activated after launch and guides the missile to its target until it is completely destroyed. This method of acquiring targets enables Sahand to leave the launch site after launching the missile, to be safe from any enemy response.
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"One of the things that distinguishes Sahand from similar vessels is that it has the Kamand point-defense system for defense against cruise missiles. Just as a military naval vessel is equipped with naval weapons that [operate] underwater and aerially, it must also have defense systems that operate on these levels. The Kamand system is one of the newest Iranian point-defense systems, and it was first unveiled in 2018, when it was installed on Sahand. Kamand is a 30mm Gatling gun with six barrels, and it can shoot 4,000 bullets in one minute. With such a high rate of fire, it creates a firewall for destroying cruise missiles. Few countries today have the ability to make point-defense systems. The most famous one is the American Phalanx system, the Dutch Wall Keeper system, and the Russian AK-630 system.
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"On both sides of its stern, Sahand has two [torpedo] nests, each with three launch silos for launching 533mm torpedoes. These torpedoes have 300kg warheads and travel underwater at a speed of 22 meters per second. They give Sahand the ability to deal with underwater threats and even to carry out underwater attacks against above-water enemy vessels. In addition, Sahand has an advanced sonar system.
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"One of the main differences between Mowj-class vessels and Alvand-class vessels, which were created by order of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces [Khamenei], is their ability to carry helicopters. This enables Sahand to carry out more comprehensive combat and search-and-rescue operations, and to play a role as a vessel in distant waters. Sahand's helicopter deck is a bit larger than the other products of the Mowj project, and it can carry [Bell] 212 helicopters, as well as [Sikorsky] SH-3 Sea King anti-submarine helicopters.
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"[Sahand's] mast contains various antennas, electronic warfare systems, long-range communication systems, and naval and aerial radar systems. [These] are located on both sides of the vessel so they can cover all 360 degrees surrounding the vessel."
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