The negotiations to sign a contract for the vessels started in 1991, but was delayed for some time over the type of missiles installed on the ships.[1] The ships were manufactured at Zhanjiang Shipyard, China and were delivered to Iran in two batches, the first five in September 1994 and the remaining in March 1996.[1]
Design
Dimensions and machinery
The ships have a standard displacement of 174 tonnes (171 long tons) and 208 t (205 long tons) at full load.[1] The class design is 38.6 m (127 ft) long, would have a beam of 6.8 m (22 ft) and a draft of 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)[1] and would have used three propeller shafts, powered by three diesel engines. This system was designed to provide 8,025 horsepower (5.984 MW) for a top speed of 35 knots (65 km/h).[1]
Armament
According to the 2020 edition of "The Military Balance" published by the IISS, the ships are equipped with two twin launchers that fire Iranian-made AShM, Ghader.[2] 2015–16 version of Jane's Fighting Ships however, had reported that the ships carry four Noor missiles.[1] The missiles rely on active radar homing to 120 kilometres (65 nmi) at 0.9 Mach.[1]
Tondar-class vessels use Chinese SR-47A surface search radar and RM 1070-A navigation system, both working on I-band.[1] For fire control, they use Type 341 Radar (also known as Rice Lamp) on I/J-band.[1]
Ships in the class
Four ships in the class sailing in formation
The ships in the class which were renamed in c. 2006, are:[1]
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