The Iranian drone carrier that turned a commercial container ship into a warship

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born from a South Korean container vessel, the IRIS Shahid Bagheri emerged as a unique maritime platform designed to project power far from home. Featuring an angled flight deck and the capacity to operate for a year without refueling, this specialized drone carrier represents a significant shift in naval strategy.

The IRIS Shahid Bagheri, formerly the South Korean container ship Perarin, underwent a radical transformation between 2022 and 2024. By adding an angled flight deck with a ski-jump, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy converted the commercial vessel into a specialized carrier for unmanned aerial vehicles. Officially commissioned on 6 February 2025, the ship was designed to extend Tehran's reach, with officials claiming it can operate independently at sea for up to one year and cover a range of 22,000 nautical miles without refueling.

The vessel's capabilities are diverse, serving as a floating hub for various military assets. Beyond its primary role as a drone carrier—featuring a 180-meter runway—the ship is equipped with short- and medium-range air defense systems, cruise missiles, and electronic warfare suites for SIGINT and ESM operations. It also functions as a mobile base for fast attack craft, helicopters, and guided subsurface vessels. Notably, the ship includes a fully functioning hospital and a soccer field for its crew, reflecting its intended role as a long-endurance platform.

The carrier's development drew international attention, with defense experts comparing its design to the historic HMS Furious. Its public profile was marked by both viral social media speculation and geopolitical tension. While some reports erroneously placed the ship off the coast of New Jersey, images confirmed it was conducting sea trials near Bandar Abbas. By 2 March 2026, the vessel's operational life reached a critical juncture when the United States Central Command announced it had been struck by U.S. forces during the 2026 Iran war.

The project underscores Iran's ambition to enhance its deterrence capabilities through unconventional naval architecture. By repurposing existing commercial hulls, the IRGC Navy created a versatile, long-range asset capable of intelligence gathering and multi-domain operations. Despite the controversy surrounding its deployment and its eventual engagement in conflict, the Shahid Bagheri remains a notable example of how modern navies are adapting commercial infrastructure to meet the demands of drone-centric warfare.

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