''Al-Sabehat'' ( fa, السابحات) is a

swimmer delivery vehicle A diver propulsion vehicle (DPV), also known as an underwater propulsion vehicle, sea scooter, underwater scooter, or swimmer delivery vehicle (SDV) by armed forces, is an item of diving equipment used by scuba divers to increase range underw ...

built and operated by Iran. The SDV is approximately long, and carries a crew of 2 plus 3 divers. It can carry out coastal reconnaissance missions, planting

naval mine A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to damage or destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, any ...

s on ports and anchorages, as well as lifting special forces. According to Abhijit Singh, a senior fellow at

Observer Research Foundation Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is an independent global think tank based in Delhi, India. The foundation has three centres in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. ORF provides potentially viable inputs for policy and decision-makers in the Indian ...

, the SDV "can be used effectively for unconventional attacks". ships function as a

mothership A mother ship, mothership or mother-ship is a large vehicle that leads, serves, or carries other smaller vehicles. A mother ship may be a maritime ship, aircraft, or spacecraft. Examples include bombers converted to carry experimental airc ...

for ''Al-Sabehat'' SDVs. ''Al-Sabehat'' SDV is designed at Esfahan Underwater Research Centre. Planning and construction of ''Al-Sabehat'' was reportedly started in 1996 and the first vessel was unveiled on 29 August 2000.

References

Wet subs Submarine classes of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Ship classes of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ships built by Marine Industries Organization Diver propulsion equipment {{Ship-type-stub

See also

References