posted on Sep, 27 2006 @ 10:22 PM
If it has similar performance/reliability to the OTO-M gun it is based on, then it will be a good if unremarkable weapon. But I think that this
particular local production effort is a waste of Iran's time. Considering the limited number of units that will concievably be produced, it would
have been cheaper to just buy in an equivilent gun from Russia or China.
The gun is too big to be employed on most of Iran's missile boats and torpedo boats. It could be retro-fitted in place of existing OTO-M 76mm weapons
on Iran's 6 or so operational Kaman class missile boats, but at limited benefit.
I'm pretty sure Iran has no shortage of ammunition for it's British supplied 114mm Vickers Mk 8 main guns fitted to the Avland corvettes so there is
no reason to replace these.
Therefore the only logical platforms for this weapon are any new larger missile boats (the much rumoured "Sina" which is reported to be based on the
Combattante/Kaman), the single new corvette ("Mowaj") and maybe on some patrol ships or landing ships (3 in service). So maximum production is in
the region of 20 units.