Model unveiled in November 2019
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Class overview | |
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Operators | Islamic Republic of Iran Navy |
General characteristics | |
Displacement | approximately 6,000 tons |
Negin (Persian: نگین, lit. 'gemstone') is the tentative title of an upcoming class of warship designed by Iran, unveiled in November 2019.[1][2] The design of the vessel resembles littoral combat ship (LCS) in the American terminology,[3] though Iranians have identified it as a 'heavy destroyer'.[4]
The vessels in the class are to displace between 5,000 and 7,000 tons, according to what Iranian officials told press in November 2019.[1] In April 2020, Iran announced that the design phase has been concluded and the construction of the lead ship will begin shortly.[4]
The project is described as an attempt to improve blue-water capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, by Farzin Nadimi of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.[2] Military journalist David Axe is skeptical that Iran can build such a warship.[5]