The Iranian Navy has developed the hulls of three new models of its homegrown Fateh (conqueror) submarine, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said.

The Navy chief announced on Thursday that the hulls of the second, third, and fourth models of the Fateh submarine have been manufactured and are being furnished.

He noted that the diesel-electric propelled submarine has undergone various tests, particularly during the Zolfaqar 1401 war game that was held in January.

The commander said the Fateh submarine has performed perfectly since joining the Navy�s fleet, with all of its operational capabilities, especially the launch of various types of torpedoes and detection of different underwater targets, having been put to the test.

Rear Admiral Irani also noted that an �adequate number� of Fateh submarines have been manufactured in Iran.

The 527-ton Fateh submarine is a semi-heavy undersurface vessel whose weight at depth increases to 593 tons.

The submarine is equipped with an advanced sonic radar system for identifying enemy vessels and uses a missile defense system.

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.

The Fateh (conqueror) submarine and Sahand destroyer � both indigenized � were used in Velayat-e 97 drills for the first time.

By Tasnim