Cordesman/Wilner, Iran & The Gulf Military Balance Rev 3
AHC 2/29/12
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The exact naval/military presence at Bandar-e Khomeini is unknown, and there does not appear to be one. However, given the this facility’s strategic location, it likely has a military dimension.
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Bandar-e Mahshahr (30°29'43.62"N, 49°12'23.91"E) This base is largely limited to housing patrol boats speedboats, some of which are armed with anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. As of June 30, 2009, its observable assets include the following: 3 IPS-16 Paykaap 5 Bavar 1 IPS-18 Tir 7 battle-ready speedboats 30+ non-battle-ready speedboats 1 Mk III patrol boat 2 unknown patrol boats 5-6 unidentified support/patrol boats
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Khorramshahr (30°26'2.71"N, 48°11'34.25"E) Khorramshahr is the former headquarters of the Imperial Iranian Navy, and it is currently overseen and controlled by the IRGC-owned Shahid Mousavi industries group. It is the home to extensive repair and overhaul facilities of the IRGC Navy.
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Kharg Island (29°14'48.01"N, 50°19'48.88"E) Kharg Island is the home of one of Iran’s largest and most valuable petrochemical facilities. Its harbors are located alongside the protected eastern shore of the island with three observable individual harbors, though the other harbors are likely capable of hosting ships as well, and due to its strategic position, the island as a whole is probably capable of hosting much larger ships then what is visible. Kharg’s visible naval assets are composed of medium-large sized fast-attack crafts (FACs) such as several unknown types such as a Thondar look-alike, but with smaller rear-mounted missiles and a different bridge. There are also four more FAC or patrol boat of an unknown type. In the same harbor, there are a number of high-quality speedboats. Three are also a number of other military installations on the island, including a HAWK battery as well as several HQ-2 SAM systems of questionable operability. As of March 4, 2004, observable assets at the base include the following: 4 unknown patrol boats 20+ speedboats 1 unknown FAC
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Bandar-e Bushehr (28°58'2.58"N, 50°51'50.74"E) This facility houses major assets of both the Iranian Navy and the IRGCN, as well as several of Iran’s larger corvette-sized vessels. It also serves as a storage and repair/overhaul facility for Iran’s naval assets. Bandar-e Bushehr is also the home base for two of the IRIN’s Bayandor-class corvettes, one of which is the IRIS 82 Naqdi, which has been refitted with two C-802 anti-ship missiles and new guns, which gives it an appearance distinct from that of the 81 Bayandor. This facility also houses 6-7 Kaman/Sina-class missile boats, including possibly the P228 Gorz. The port also houses a number of speedboats and semi-submersible vessels, as well as two RH-53D Sea Stallions and six AB-212 ASW helicopters. As of June 16, 2009, observable assets at the base include the following: 2 Bayandor-class corvettes 6 Kaman/Sina-class FACs
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