'If you do not obey my orders we will open fire on your helicopter. Over'

 

ABOVE : 40,000 TON USS BATAAN LHD5 WARSHIP
BELOW : IRANIAN SPEED BOATS

 

You can fast forward to minute 1.38 of this three minute video below. This was a standoff between Iranian Navy missile patrol boats and the 40,000 ton American helicopter carrier USS Bataan somewhere near the Straits of Hormuz. This incident took place four days ago on 17th August, 2023. The Americans had encroached into Iranian territorial waters and the Iranians warned the Americans to leave or get shot at.

The news says the Americans retrieved their helicopter and then backed off. 

 

Although they are tiny compared to a 40,000 ton helicopter carrier the Iranian speed boats have a few things in their favour. Each speed boat is armed with anti-ship missiles which can do serious damage even to a 40,000 helicopter carrier.

The 2,400 horsepower Made in Iran speed boats are fast with speeds up to 75 knots or 140 km/hr - more than three times faster than the helicopter carrier. This makes them very agile and difficult to shoot with missiles, cannon fire or CIWS (Close In Weapons System).

The biggest threat is that the Iranian speedboats operate in swarms and can appear in the dozens, each buzzing around at 140 km/hr and shooting deadly anti-ship missiles.  In a narrow waterway like the Straits of Hormuz a 40,000 ton warship will have too little space to manouevre.

This incident shows that the Iranians are not afraid of the US Navy and they have the tools to take out the enemy. They are also defending their home territory and are most likely prepared to sacrifice their lives for their homeland. 

The US Navy on the other hand really does not know just what the hell they are doing so far away from Disneyland and downtown Indianapolis.  These boys are just lost at sea.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.