U.S. cruiser spots 2 Iranian subs in Gulf

[unhappycamper]

An Iranian Kilo-class diesel-powered attack submarine.


U.S. cruiser spots 2 Iranian subs in Gulf
By Zachary M. Peterson - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Nov 29, 2007 18:53:00 EST

ABOARD THE CRUISER VICKSBURG IN THE PERSIAN GULF — Officials aboard the cruiser Vicksburg spotted and photographed two surfaced Iranian Kilo-class submarines in the Persian Gulf a few weeks ago, the ship’s skipper told Navy Secretary Donald Winter during a visit to the ship on Saturday.

The Russian-designed diesel-electric attack subs were tracked and photographed by sailors onboard the Mayport, Fla.-based ship, said Capt. Chip Swicker. Crew members showed Winter the photographs of the surfaced subs. The Vicksburg did not communicate with either of the subs, Swicker said.

“They watched us and we watched them,” he said.

Crew members aboard the cruiser didn’t consider the encounters hostile, although it wasn’t clear if the Iranian boats surfaced within view of the cruiser or if the U.S. warship happened to see the Iranian subs while they were already running on the surface. Iran has a fleet of three Kilo-class SSKs, according to Jane’s Fighting Ships.

Swicker indicated the Vicksburg was close enough to Iranian waters at the times of the encounters that crew members didn’t consider it out of the ordinary to see Iranian navy vessels. Winter, accompanied by a Navy Times reporter, was aboard the ship as part of a nine-day trip through Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf.

The Vicksburg crew told Winter about their encounters less than a week before Iran’s top navy commander claimed it was expanding its undersea fleet. On Wednesday, Iran said it was launching its own, new, home-built submarine, reportedly called the Ghadir. Iranian officials boasted that the small diesel-electric sub would “give a crushing answer to enemies when needed thanks to domestically-made equipment” and could fire missiles that could hit Israel.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/navy_iran_subs_071129w/

[MADem]

1. Russian designed, eh? Let's not kid ourselves--that means Russian built, too.

How interesting, to see two thirds of the Persian silent service, all at once!

[SharkSquid]

4. Nahh it was built in Bandar Abbas

According to Janes.

[MADem]

7. By RUSSIANS!! Who've never left Bandar--they were there during the Shah, too. NT

[mac2]

2. What about the Israeli American built subs?

Aren't we worried they will shoot at us like the Liberty? The ME should be disarmed period not just one country which our Neo Cons want for their oil and power.

[Captain Hilts]

6. The Israelis just bought German-built subs. No US-built subs. nt

[Postman]

3. Interesting how they didn't detect the sub until it was running on the surface....

Again, repeat after me.

There are two types of naval vessels, submarines and targets.

If there were a "hot" war in the Gulf with Iran, I can guarantee you the USS Vicksburg would be the latest addition of new fishing reefs at the bottom of the Gulf...

That submarine was sending a message saying "here I am, over here. If I wanted to sink you I would have done it a long time ago"....

That's not an anti-American rant. That's the facts.

[Captain Hilts]

5. Find 'em, Chase 'em, peek at 'em!

[MADem]

8. Well, if they aren't moving, there's no cavitation. The thing about those

diesel electrics, though, is, they can't stay down forever.