1st indigenous helicopter carrier joins IRGC naval forces
EghtesadOnline: The first home-made helicopter carrier joined the naval forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) during a ceremony here on Tuesday.
Deputy Commander of the IRGC Brigadier General Hossein Salami and the IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi were present at the ceremony held in this southern Iranian province.
According to IRNA, the fast cruising vessel with a helipad is the first aluminum watercraft that has been designed and built in the country domestically, General Fadavi said in the ceremony.
The chopper carrier, named after Shahid Mohammad Nazeri, can cruise at a speed of 28 knots, the commander noted.
General Fadavi added that the watercraft is designed, built and equipped without any foreign dependency.
By using this long-range and fast cruising vessel, the IRGC naval forces will have more powerful presence in the free waters and oceans, General Fadavi stressed.