Iran Has Lost Its Only Expeditionary Ship
- 3.03.2026, 14:07
- 12,408
It was based on a converted oil tanker.
Iran has lost its only expeditionary ship named INS Makran. The strike on the ship was reported with reference to satellite images released by analyst Joseph Dempsey, writes "Militar".
The ship was reportedly located at the Bandar Abbas naval base. A satellite image shows a fire in the area of the superstructure - the section where the bridge is located, and under it - key internal compartments, including the engine room.
It is highly likely that the ship has suffered critical damage that makes it impossible to restore and further operation, experts say. In fact, this makes it possible to talk about its destruction.
Who exactly struck the ship is not officially reported. At the same time, US involvement is not ruled out. Earlier, President Donald Trump said that Iran allegedly lost at least 9 ships as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Satellite images also show the sinking of the Moudge-class IRIS Jamaran light frigate IRIS Jamaran and the Bayandor-class corvettes IRIS Bayandor and IRIS Naghdi at the Iranian Navy base in Konarak. Several other vessels, including the auxiliary Delvar and two Hendijan-class patrol boats, are also believed to have been destroyed, but there is no final confirmation yet.
What the INS Makran
INS Makran was not built as a warship from scratch. It was based on a converted Al Buhaira oil tanker built in Japan at the Sumitomo Heavy Industries shipyard in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. The vessel was launched in September 2009 and completed in March 2010.
It was originally an Aframax class tanker with a deadweight of more than 105,000 tons and the ability to carry about 100,000 tons of oil. It was almost 230 meters long and 42 meters wide.
After passing under Iranian control, the ship was refitted at the naval base in Bandar Abbas. In the new configuration, the ship was launched in November 2020 and underwent sea trials as early as December.
Floating Base for Long Range Expeditions
As part of the Iranian Navy, the Makran served as an advanced floating base designed to support extended operations away from Iranian shores. In fact, it was an instrument of flag display and power projection.
The vessel has operated outside the Middle East region on several occasions. In particular, in July 2021, it was in the English Channel, which was one of the symbolic episodes of the expansion of the geography of Iranian naval activity.
The point is that if the destruction of the INS Makran is finally confirmed, Iran will actually lose the only platform that provided it with the ability to conduct full-fledged expeditionary operations in remote areas of the world's oceans.
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