Iran’s Navy Introduces Zagros: Its First Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Vessel
Iran’s navy unveiled its first signals intelligence (SIGINT) vessel, Zagros. It is designed for electronic surveillance and cyber intelligence operations and is a variant of the Mowj-class frigates. ‘Zagros‘ is also the first Iranian-built ship with a helicopter hangar, which will improve its ability to operate on longer voyages. The hanger, which is large enough to accommodate Iran’s Bell 212 (AB-212) helicopters, was absent on the previous Mowj project frigates.
(Photo credits: Fars News Agency)
The Mowj-class began entering Iranian service in 2010. The previous warship of the class, Deylaman (78), was officially commissioned into the Iranian Navy on November 27, 2023 with another vessel, the Taftan, currently under construction.
The primary purpose of the Zagros is to monitor and intercept enemy communications and electronic signals. Its SIGINT systems can detect and analyze radio, radar, and other electromagnetic signals, enabling real-time threat detection. Additionally, the ship is equipped to engage in electronic and cyber warfare, including jamming adversary communications and disrupting radar systems.
Photo: Tasnim News/CC4.0
Zagros was delivered to the Iranian Navy on January 15, 2025, coinciding with its official launch ceremony. Iranian officials have portrayed the Zagros as a symbol of their growing naval power and technological prowess, emphasizing its importance in enhancing their intelligence capabilities and ensuring regional maritime security.
(Photo credits: Fars News Agency)
The Iranian Navy classifies the ships of the Mowj project as destroyers though their size and displacement at 1,700 tons, length of 94.5m, and beam of 11.1m is more in line with a modern frigate. Zagros’ armament includes is a 76mm Fajr-27 gun, an unlicensed copy of the Italian naval 76mm OTO Melara. It also has a 30mm Kamand cannon for self-defense against low-altitude air targets, two 20mm cannons, and two 12.7mm machine guns. The ship is equipped with a Mehrab anti-aircraft missile system and Sayyad-3 missiles, with a declared range of 150km. In terms of anti-ship weapons, it has eight subsonic Qader anti-ship missiles with a range of about 200km. Its advanced features and strategic importance make it a critical addition to Iran’s navy, enhancing its surveillance, combat support, and deterrence capabilities
Commander of the Iranian Navy Admiral Shahram Irani was quoted as saying: “the Zagros signals intelligence ship will be the watchful eye of Iran’s navy in the seas and oceans.”