Iran unveils fast attack boat '27 Rajab' capable of launching cruise missiles

Even as diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran continue, Iran has chosen to showcase a weapon built for a very different scenario. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) this week unveiled a new high-speed missile boat called "27 Rajab", highlighting a naval strategy that has long been central to Tehran's approach in the Persian Gulf.Presented during a public ceremony at Tehran's Enghelab Square, the vessel is designed to combine speed, manoeuvrability and long-range strike capability. Iranian media reports said the craft can travel at up to 100 knots, or around 185 kilometres per hour, and carry two sea-launched cruise missiles with a reported range of 700 kilometres.The boat features a trimaran hull design and is claimed to be capable of operating in waves up to three metres high.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency described the unveiling as a demonstration of the country's maritime military capabilities.The significance of the "27 Rajab" lies not only in its specifications but also in the military doctrine it represents. Rather than matching larger navies ship for ship, the IRGC has spent decades investing in fleets of small, fast and heavily armed vessels capable of launching coordinated attacks against larger warships.

Military analysts often refer to this concept as the "mosquito fleet" strategy. It is particularly suited to the narrow waters of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route where large naval vessels face limited room to manoeuvre.The timing of the unveiling is likely to draw attention across the region. It comes days after the United States announced new shipping measures for the Strait of Hormuz and carried out strikes against Iranian vessels operating nearby.The IRGC Navy operates separately from Iran's conventional navy and is primarily responsible for security operations in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. While the regular navy focuses on larger warships and submarines, the IRGC has built its reputation around fast attack craft, coastal missile systems and unconventional maritime tactics.