Iran launches Shahid Bagheri: Transforming civilian ships for naval might
Iran has commissioned its first aircraft carrier, Shahid Bagheri (C110-4), developed from the container ship Perarin as part of a program to convert large commercial ships for military purposes. The vessel has been adapted for helicopter takeoffs, drones, and missile systems support. Tehran expects that Shahid Bagheri will enhance control over regional waters and expand naval operations.
The latest photos and footage of the ship, which Iran describes as a floating naval base, were shown on February 6, 2025, originating from the ceremonial commissioning of the vessel. The ceremony, held in Bandar Abbas in the Persian Gulf, gathered key Iranian military representatives, including General Hossein Salami, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri, Commander of the Iranian Navy, and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.
Shahid Bagheri: Iran's new aircraft carrier
During the ceremony, General Salami emphasized that Iran does not seek conflict with any country but will not yield to any threat. He explained that Shahid Bagheri was designed as a mobile platform for various operations, including intelligence gathering, missile attacks, and aerial surveillance. Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri noted that Shahid Bagheri is capable of operating independently at sea for up to one year, significantly increasing Iran's operational capabilities in international waters.
Shahid Bagheri was developed as part of Iran's strategy to improve naval capabilities by transforming commercial ships. According to The War Zone, reconstruction likely began in May 2022 and lasted about two years. During this period, the former container ship Perarin received, among other things, an angled flight deck and a drone launch system. It was also equipped with a power plant and a hospital. The aircraft carrier went for sea trials in November 2024, and its commissioning took place a few months later.
Information about the capabilities and equipment of the Shahid Bagheri aircraft carrier is still limited. However, it is known that it is a vessel with a length of 240 metres, a displacement of over 45,000 tonnes, equipped with a 180-metre runway, and capable of reaching a maximum speed of 40 km/h. Army Recognition reports that the ship is armed with Noor long-range cruise missiles, short-range air defence systems, two Asefeh 20-millimetre caliber guns, and one 30-millimetre caliber gun located on the bow of the ship. Additionally, the Shahid Bagheri is said to have an anti-ship missile launch platform.
The 180-metre runway and its equipment allow Shahid Bagheri to handle various types of drones and helicopters. The list includes Mi-17, Bell 412, and Shahed 278 helicopters, as well as Ababil-3, Mohajer-6, Shahed-136 drones, and the Qaher-313, which attracts considerable interest. Qaher-313, also known as F-313, was first unveiled in February 2013.
Initially, it was presented as an advanced, single-seat stealth fighter with radar evasion and low-altitude operating capabilities. Ultimately, Iran decided to change its concept, likely related to emerging technological challenges. In 2023, Tehran announced that the Qaher-313 would be an unmanned aerial vehicle, adapted to the current needs of the Iranian armed forces.
It is worth recalling that since 1992, Iran has been pursuing a military self-sufficiency program, producing its own submarines, fighter jets, and tanks. Shahid Bagheri is another step in this direction, demonstrating Iran's ability to adapt and innovate in military technology.
