February** Dynamic Incentive Program Iran's launch of ballistic missiles from ships resembling sea bases, through containers, could have wide-ranging implications.
The IRGC fired two ballistic missiles from a launcher disguised as a standard container from one of its ships resembling a sea base. This special combination, which has not been seen so far, greatly expands the range of these ** surprise strikes against potential targets, especially considering that containers can be loaded on any vessel that has space to accommodate them.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-linked Tasnim news agency reported that the Shahid Mahdawi recently launched two "Fatah-class" ballistic missiles, which were received by the Iranian Navy in March 2023, which were converted from a state-owned and operated container ship called the "Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps." Salvin. The ** also noted that the launch was a collaboration between the IRGC Navy and the Aerospace Forces. It is reported that at least one of the missiles managed to hit a target in the central desert of Iran. It is unclear exactly when all this happened, the precise Fatah variant of the missile, and the distance at which the missile reached its target.
The Tasnim news agency initially released two missiles from launchers inside two separate containers on board. In it, we see the launch from all angles, thanks to the cameras placed around the ship and the drone footage that seems to be taken from above. It also showed the expected impact of one of the missiles on the target, causing a large **.
The additional ** released by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) also shows the launch from other angles, as well as footage that appears to be from the position of the control operator inside the ship.
Specifics about the exact timing of this happen are difficult to determine. The Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) account on Twitter X has indicated various possible dates.
However, the open water seen in ** has set the launch date between January 25 and 27, according to tankertrackers.
However, there appears to be more consensus on the location of Shahid al-Mahdawi's missile launch, with the ship reportedly located between the cities of Jask and Chabahar on the Iranian coastline in the Gulf of Oman.
It is also unclear what types of missiles will be launched. The Tasnim news agency states that the Fatah-class missile has a range of 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles). This is much longer than the Herbshekan medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM); The third-generation Fatah ballistic missile, the longest known range in this missile family, is 1,450 km (900 miles).
However, other Iranian news outlets said the missiles had a range of more than 750 kilometers (466 miles), suggesting that they could be Dezful medium-range ballistic missiles, known to have a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).
It is also suggested that the missiles may be Zolfaghar short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) with a known range of 700 km (434 mi). The Zolfaghar short-range ballistic missile is an improved version of the Fateh 110 with a range of 200–300 km (124–186 miles).
Of course, the concept of using launchers disguised as containers for the transportation and deployment of various missiles is well established. A few years ago, Russia began to hide various cruise missile launch systems in containers and put them on sale.
Since then, launchers based on modular containers have become more widespread. For example, the United States has deployed Tomahawk and SM-6 missile container launchers that can be used both at sea and on land. Now, more types of systems that are far less powerful utilize containers as hosts. While some apps use containers for cost and logistical advantages, others do go the extra mile to disguise them as much as possible like standard shipping containers. Obviously, this is problematic when it comes to understanding the presence and absence of the system, especially those capable of delivering long-range strikes.
Iran's ** people, such as the militias in Iraq, have begun to use simpler short-range ballistic missiles launched from containers, which are designed to be hidden before launch. It's a relatively new capability, but it's not as polished as we've seen here, and it doesn't match Iran's latest missile technology. These systems have also not yet been deployed to the sea.
The new feature here is the launch of ballistic missiles from one launcher, which is well disguised as a standard container on board. If Iran and its affiliated actors were able to acquire such capabilities, this would have significant potential consequences. It seriously complicates the tracking of potential threats; give the enemy a greater advantage by surprise; It is allowed to place ** far from where it could have been placed without being detected; Basically making every ship that can carry containers a potential hostile threat. The use of ships as launch platform delivery systems means that previously it was difficult to put distant targets at risk, now with the help of a wide range of ships, and all this does not require the appearance of new long-range **.
One of the ballistic missiles was launched from a container, and although all this has become a growing concern for cruise missiles, the introduction of ballistic missiles with a similar launch concept adds additional challenges. Ballistic missiles are difficult to defend against, especially at large ranges, and they reach the target much faster and have a shorter reaction time. They also have much heavier attack power than their air-breathing counterparts. Among other things, all these factors make them particularly threatening.
Having a modular ballistic missile launch system, which can be installed on almost any ship with enough space, whether it is camouflaged or not, is a great advantage for Iran.
According to the Tasnim news agency, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Hussein Salami, emphasized this:
"Our ocean-going ** can be present all over the world, and when we can launch missiles from them, there is no safe place for countries that want to create insecurity for us," he said. ”
Salami's remarks to Iran** on ballistic missile launches, this remains particularly worrying given Iran's use of ballistic missiles against its neighbors in recent weeks. Tehran used ballistic missiles to strike targets in Syria, Iraq and Pakistan. While these may not be directly related to the Israeli-Hamas conflict, they undoubtedly send a clear message to the United States and Israel that Iran is willing to use its vast ballistic missile arsenal and expand its range and accuracy.
Of course, the test also comes at a time when the actions of Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have led to a surge in discussion around the ballistic missile threat. The threat of the armed group, which controls much of Yemen, becoming the first in the world to launch an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) in a fit of rage, has been a hot topic of discussion for some time. The Houthis' numerous attacks on merchant ships and ** in the Red Sea using anti-ship ballistic missiles are largely due to Iran; It provides it with these and the parts that make them. You can read more about all the past Warzone characteristics.
One can imagine how non-state actors, acting as Iranians, can use this very low-profile shipborne capability to carry out asymmetric attacks far from the territory where they live.
As Iran continues to rapidly develop its arsenal and allocate portions of it to allied organizations throughout the Middle East, we are sure to see more of this capability in the future.