Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis warship conveys 'readiness' message to enemies
The IRGC Navy Chief highlights a state of total preparedness, emphasizing the need for constant readiness.
The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) naval force has stated that the newly added Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis vessel conveys a message of "readiness" to the country's enemies.
The Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis vessel, which was introduced earlier this month, is a corvette-type ship with a catamaran design, showcasing advanced radar-evading technologies.
Named in honor of the former deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, martyr Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was assassinated alongside Lieutenant General martyr Qassem Soleimani in a 2020 US drone strike, the vessel boasts a naval endurance of 14 days.
The vessel can cruise within a 2,000 nautical-mile radius undetected by enemy radars and reconnaissance systems.
"Abu Mahdi Muhandis bears the message of peace and friendship for the Muslim countries of the Persian Gulf region," Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said, as quoted by Iran's al-Alam Arabic-language television news network on Tuesday.
"But if ill-wishers sought to create a problem, the vessel would bear the message of readiness in the face of the enemies," he added.
"We enjoy complete readiness, and should be constantly ready. In the same context, the drills that we hold in the region is indicative of our readiness," he further stressed.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he noted that foreign entities engage in "fabricating enemies" to prolong their regional influence and sustain arms sales.
"Foreign [military] presence in the region is disruptive to [regional] security," he said.
"There is no need for extra-regional presence [here], and establishment of calm takes place by the agency of the regional countries," he further noted.
Furthermore, Tangsiri suggested conducting joint naval exercises among the Muslim countries in the region to improve their capacity for preserving regional security.
Iran's advanced naval production capabilities
The Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis unveiling earlier this month follows the introduction of a similar stealth vessel named Shahid Soleimani in the same area. The IRGC Navy's strategic focus on stealth capabilities is evident, as both vessels showcase advanced technologies aimed at eluding enemy detection.
The IRGC Navy's expansion also included the induction of 100 fast-attack crafts, including Tareq-class and Ashura-class vessels armed with Kowsar medium-range and anti-ship missiles.
The Ashura vessels are equipped with Kowsar missiles and three-dimensional radars capable of detecting and intercepting hostile planes, helicopters, and cruise missiles at high altitudes.
Read more: Iran's deployment of warship 'boldest move yet' in the face of US