--- title: "Iran Unveils New Spy Ship Based On Corvette Hull" description: "While most intelligence-gathering ships are based on commercial designs or specifications, Iran’s new spy ship uses a Mowj class corvette hull. While most intelligence-gathering ships are based on commercial designs or specifications, Iran’s new spy ship uses a Mowj class corvette hull." date: "2025-01-16" modified: "2025-01-16" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/iran-unveils-new-spy-ship-based-on-corvette-hull" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Corvettes" - "Espionage" - "Iran" - "Iranian Navy" - "Middle East" - "Naval Sensor Systems" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "Persian Gulf" - "Sea" tags: - "Iran" --- # Iran Unveils New Spy Ship Based On Corvette Hull ![Iran has developed a reputation for launching some unconventional naval vessels, some of them downright bizarre — at least when compared with their equivalents elsewhere in the world. Its latest offering, the Zagros, is very much in keeping with this trend: a surveillance ship based on a corvette hull, an unorthodox approach for a type of vessel that’s normally converted from a commercial hull.]() *YouTube screencap/Iranian state media* Iran has developed a reputation for launching some [unconventional naval vessels](), some of them [downright strange]() — at least when compared with their equivalents elsewhere in the world. Its latest offering, the *Zagros*, is very much in keeping with this trend: a surveillance ship based on a corvette hull, an unorthodox approach for a type of vessel that would typically be converted from a commercial hull. ![]() *A bow view of the *Zagros*, the latest Iranian intelligence-gathering vessel. *Iranian state media** ![]() *The *Zagros* underway during helicopter operations. The flight deck is an unusual feature for a vessel of this kind. *Iranian state media** Iran unveiled its first domestically built signals intelligence (SIGINT) ship, the *Zagros*, yesterday. According to the state-run news agency *IRNA*, the ship has now officially joined the country’s naval fleet. “The *Zagros* signals intelligence ship will be a vigilant eye for the Iranian Navy deep into seas and oceans,” the commander of the Iranian Navy, Adm. Shahram Irani, said in a statement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAV9NG3AFBg Iranian state media released footage of the vessel under construction, underway at sea, as well as Iranian Armed Forces Joint Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammad Bagheri and other military personnel visiting the ship and meeting with its crew. https://www.twitter.com/EnglishFars/status/1879622074152689743 In common with other SIGINT ships, the *Zagros* is equipped with electronic sensors to collect, decrypt, and analyze radio-frequency signals from hostile or potentially hostile emitters. Antennas for these sensors are housed in prominent ball-shaped radomes arranged around the top of the superstructure, with seven in all, of three different sizes, with the smaller ones likely to house satellite communications systems. ![]() *An aerial view of the *Zagros* reveals the main sensors. *Iranian state media** https://www.twitter.com/AmirIGM/status/1879642572815253861 Meanwhile, an apparent radio direction-finding antenna mounted on top of the ship’s mast has been noted as being very similar to a system of this kind marketed by China. https://www.twitter.com/mhmiranusa/status/1879635304384253993 Iran’s semi-official *Tasnim* news agency has said the *Zagros* is also able to conduct cyber operations but provided no further details. ![]() **Iranian state media** In other respects, however, the *Zagros* exhibits some significant differences from more usual surveillance vessels. The state-run *Fars* news agency describes the new vessel as an “intelligence destroyer,” reflecting the fact that the *Zagros* was built using a converted hull from a *Mowj* class warship, five of which are currently in service. These domestically produced vessels are classified as destroyers by Iran, but in terms of size and armament are much closer to light frigates, or corvettes, although the distinction between warship types — especially of these kinds — [is increasingly blurred](). https://www.twitter.com/EnglishFars/status/1879566216358199469 The *Mowj* class has a displacement of around 1,500 tonnes, a length of 311.7 feet, and a beam of 36.4 feet. The warship has a speed of around 30 knots and is operated by a typical crew of 140. ![]() *A *Mowj* class corvette, the *Deylaman*, commissioned in November 2023. *Iranian state media** Specifications are currently not available for the *Zagros*, but the dimensions are presumably very similar. Based on the imagery published so far, the *Zagros* has no armament fitted, in contrast to the original *Mowj* class vessel, which is armed with a 76mm main gun, a 30mm close-in weapon system, Mehrab surface-to-air missiles, Noor or Qader anti-ship missiles, and torpedo tubes. However, unlike the original *Mowj* class, the *Zagros* has a flight deck and a hangar, able to accommodate a helicopter. Available imagery shows the ship embarking an Agusta-Bell AB212, a version of the Bell 212 built under license in Italy and equivalent to the U.S. military UH-1N. ![]() *An AB212 helicopter operating from the flight deck. *YouTube screencap/Iranian state media** An embarked helicopter is an unusual feature of a SIGINT ship, suggesting that the vessel is intended to undertake other missions, as well, or perhaps the rotorcraft is intended simply to provide a means of logistical support when at sea for extended periods. On the other hand, a helicopter could also be used to provide a degree of force protection, especially important in the absence of other weapons aboard the ship — although some lighter weapons may still be fitted at a later date. Another option would be to outfit the helicopter with a sensor payload, increasing the overall area in which intelligence can be collected and providing a rapid means of gathering it from points of interest. So far, Iran has relied on adapted smaller commercial vessels to gather SIGINT and it’s not entirely clear why it took the opposite approach with the *Zagros*. Other countries typically take a commercial hull as the basis for a spy ship, since this offers considerable space for sensors and sensor operators as well as significant power-generation capabilities. Since their main role is peacetime surveillance, the combat capabilities of such vessels are very much secondary. Using a commercial hull also results in a ship that is far more efficient to build and operate, and which is more easily supportable once in service. ![]() *This view of the *Zagros*, accompanied by two tug boats and a motor launch, shows the narrow corvette hull that offers relatively little internal volume for a ship of this kind. *YouTube screencap/Iranian state media** However, given that Iran has previously converted commercial hulls into warships — notably its fleet of “[forward base ships]()” — such an approach is perhaps not entirely surprising. Above all, it suggests that Iran is willing to make use of whatever hulls are available to meet its naval requirements. At the same time, presuming the *Zagros* is built to a higher naval standard — which is not necessarily a given — it would presumably be more survivable than a commercial hull. Once established in service, the *Zagros* should offer Iran a valuable means of gathering intelligence on opposing forces not only in the Persian Gulf but also farther afield, including into the Arabian Sea and Red Sea. Here, it could be especially useful in the context of the growing hostilities between Iran and Israel, as well as the anti-shipping campaign currently being waged by the Iran-backed Houthi militia. ![]() *A view of the *Zagros* underway, during helicopter operations. *YouTube screencap/Iranian state media** In recent years, however, Iran has also demonstrated a growing ability to project naval power over much greater distances. With this in mind, the *Zagros* might even end up making deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, from where it could also observe Israeli and other countries’ naval activities. Given the antagonism between Iran and the United States, the *Zagros* could also be used to monitor U.S. Navy carrier battle groups operating close to Iran or its interests. With its new signals intelligence vessel, Iran has once again taken an unexpected path to expandings its naval capabilities. However, given the current tensions between Iran and its adversaries, and the growing number of theaters in which these are being played out, the *Zagros* looks like it could be headed for a busy career. *Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()