Moudge-class frigate

Iran officially classifies these ships as destroyers, but this is rejected by most navies internationally.^[2]

Sources differ in specifying the type of the class, either as light frigate or corvette.^[3] Alternatively, they have also been described as destroyer escorts.^[4] For instance, Jane's Fighting Ships classifies the class as FFG or frigate^[5] while the Military Balance of the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), designates the ships in the class as FSGM or corvette.^[6]

A Moudge-class ship was first reported to be under construction in 2001.^[7] Warship International wrote in 2008 that four ships of this class were under construction: Mowj (376) launched on 22 February 2007, Jamaran (377) launched on 28 November 2007, as well as Azarakhsh (378) and Tondar (379).^[8]

The first ship, Jamaran was stationed in the port of Bandar Abbas. Damavand is the second ship in this class.^[9] Damavand was constructed at the Shahid Tamjidi Marine Industries (STMI) fabrication shop on the Caspian Sea at Bandar-e Anzali.^[10] The frigate was launched in March 2013.^{[citation needed]}

In January 2018, Damavand, based out of Bandar-Anzali on the Caspian Sea, ran aground on a concrete breakwater in the vicinity of its home port. It was reportedly caused by navigational error, compounded by a strong storm that created high waves and low visibility. During the incident, six members of the ship's crew fell overboard. Four of those crew members were later rescued, and two were considered missing by media sources. The Iranian Navy declined to confirm the reporting. There has been little information released in reference to the cause of the grounding, with the exception of statements of wave height and visibility caused by the storm at the time of the grounding. Photos from 2018 show that the ship's hull broke apart near the waterline approximately at the start of the ship's aircraft deck.^[11]

The Iranian Navy commissioned Dena in Bandar Abbas in June 2021.^[12]

Future units of the Moudge class are to be equipped with the Sayyad-2 anti-aircraft missiles.^[13]

During construction, the frigate Talaiyeh capsized while in dry dock. One member of the Iranian Navy was killed in the incident. No official reports have been released by the Iranian authorities.

While in port at Bandar Abbas Sahand capsized on 7 July 2024 before sinking on 9 July 2024.^[14]

• List of frigates of Iran
• List of frigate classes
• List of naval ship classes of Iran
• List of naval ship classes in service