[Discussion] Iran Deploys Ghadir Mini Submarines to Hamper US Carrier Operations in Gulf

[Uncrowned Guard]

Iran Positions Ghadir Mini Submarines as Asymmetric Counter to U.S. Carrier Presence

Iran has deployed more than 20 Ghadir-class midget submarines in the Persian Gulf as U.S. carrier strike groups operate in the region, according to Army Recognition reporting. While these vessels cannot rival U.S. naval power directly, their design and employment doctrine are intended to complicate carrier operations in confined and shallow waters.

Open-source assessments estimate Iran’s submarine fleet at roughly 28 to 30 boats, the majority of which are small coastal submarines optimized for Gulf conditions. With at least one U.S. aircraft carrier operating in the Middle East and the potential for additional deployments, Iranian naval strategy appears focused on imposing operational constraints rather than seeking conventional sea control.

Design Optimized for Shallow-Water Warfare

The Ghadir-class is purpose-built for littoral operations. Displacing approximately 117 tons surfaced and 125 tons submerged, the diesel-electric boats are suited to the Persian Gulf’s shallow depths, heavy maritime traffic, and complex seabed terrain. Larger submarines face maneuvering limits in such environments, while sonar performance is often degraded by salinity, temperature layering, and high ambient noise.

Most assessments trace the Ghadir’s lineage to North Korea’s Yono-class submarine. Reports indicate that at least one Yono was transferred to Iran in 2004, followed by domestic production of modified variants. Estimates suggest that between 20 and 23 Ghadir boats are operational, providing Iran with the ability to disperse multiple submarines across chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Armament and Operational Roles

The Ghadir carries two 533 mm torpedo tubes with a limited onboard weapons load. It is associated with Iranian torpedoes, including the Valfajr and possibly the Hoot supercavitating torpedo. Despite its small size, the platform offers significant lethality relative to displacement.

Beyond torpedoes, the class is assessed as capable of laying naval mines and deploying combat divers, expanding its role into covert operations. In 2019, Iran announced the test launch of a Jask anti-ship cruise missile from a Ghadir submarine. Reporting links the Jask-2 to an encapsulated “swim-out” missile derived from the Nasr-1 family, potentially allowing engagements at greater stand-off distances. If operationally viable, such capability would add complexity to defensive planning for escort vessels.

Exploiting the Gulf’s Acoustic Environment

The Persian Gulf’s environmental conditions present challenges for anti-submarine warfare. Variations in salinity and temperature, combined with dense commercial shipping and seabed clutter, can degrade sonar effectiveness. Diesel-electric submarines operating on battery power are inherently quiet, and the Ghadir is reportedly capable of bottoming—resting on the seabed to reduce detectability.

These factors make persistent tracking difficult, particularly in narrow transit routes. A distributed deployment of mini submarines combined with minefields could constrain maneuver space for high-value units, increasing operational risk during chokepoint transits.

Implications for U.S. Naval Operations

U.S. carrier strike groups maintain extensive anti-submarine warfare capabilities, including MH-60R helicopters equipped with dipping sonar and the integration of unmanned surface and subsurface systems. However, ASW operations in the Gulf remain resource-intensive due to environmental complexity.

Strategically, the Ghadir-class does not need to defeat a carrier strike group in open combat to achieve effect. By increasing uncertainty, extending timelines, and compelling greater allocation of ASW assets, Iran’s mini-submarine fleet can raise the operational cost of sustained U.S. naval presence near its coastline. Tehran’s investment reflects a broader approach centered on leveraging geography and asymmetric capabilities to offset conventional naval disparities.

View full article