We are about explosions, about fires compose note Tass ...
The story of the four tankers (Saudi Al Marzoqah and Amjad, Emirati A. Michel and Norwegian Andrea Victory), undermined 12 May near the territorial waters of the UAE to the east of the Emirate of Al-Fujairah, suddenly was continued. Now there were two tankers, and they were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, and in the territorial waters of Iran, where the most of the shipping routes, fairways on both sides.
And if the last time the unknown attacked carefully, as if to warn, but this time everything turned out differently. Then the underwater part of the tankers were pierced mine at the waterline or slightly below its, but the aft, where are the engine rooms of ships, but not oil tanks. That is undermining could cause flooding the engine room, obezdvizhivanie sudna, but do not leak and fire of oil. And this time, 13 June, Both ships were attacked by about the middle of the housing, tanks in the area, and both went to the cargo. Front Altair under “comfortable” Marshall Islands flag went to the United Arab Emirates with naphtha, and Kokuka Courageous at least “comfortable” Panama flag was of CSA with methanol load.
Holes and the point of undermining the tankers in the episode 12 May (according to official statements made by the United Arab Emirates)
The explosions caused fires, crews could not cope with injuries, and they were evacuated to the Iranians (44 man, among the crew of one of the tankers 10 our compatriots). true, Then there were reports, that the salvation of one of the ships, Kokuka Courageous, It is engaged in an American destroyer URO “Bainbridge”, perhaps, the crew of that ship was not evacuated, I was not completely evacuated or returned since, that the condition of the vessel did not inspire fear. But footage of major fire on board the second vessel, Front Altair, flew over information networks: there is clearly fared poorly. Although later it appeared footage of this vessel, where the fire was no longer, although the building was blackened.
What blew up the tankers?
What was the first attack 4 and the second tanker 2? From the very beginning in this regard for the first episode there was no consensus. The version of the torpedo attack can be taken into account, but usually modern torpedo attack is not in the side, and under the bottom of the victims, breaking set. And the damage is too ridiculous for normal torpedo caliber (533 mm). But small torpedo, anti-caliber, 324 mm, already much more suitable for the nature of damage, but still, blow would hardly be applied in the area of waterline, even if it was sent to board. The deeper point of explosion, the more serious nature of the destruction, the higher the water pressure, and the harder it is to stop its flow into the housing. Besides torpedoes nobody saw. Although, knowing, what could be, let us say, Saudi Navy, imaginable, what sailors civilians - they would a submarine off the board on the surface, probably, We would not see. And yet, no frames of video surveillance systems, which now stand at many large ships, also no. None of them unmanned explosive boats, these have already been used by Yemeni Huthis (i.e, count, Iranian “holidaymakers”, staged in Yemen chic proving grounds for testing the latest Iranian arms to Saudi, UAE and other would-be coalition soldier). While undermining the waterline in the area this would be explained well. But part of the space ships blasting under water, so that the boats disappear - submersible and semi-submersible boat there, at the same Iran they have, in DPRK, where this technology in Iran, in Russia, but drones are not yet known.
Much has been to point to the use of site-adherent sabotage sea mines, that is, in Western terminology Limpet Mines. Yes, this mine is really able to make holes of this size, despite what, of course. They are different. So, Soviet mine UPM weight 14,5 kg and explosive charge (MS blend) at 7 kg cm dimensions 53h23h17 able to do in the steel casing in 7 mm thick underwater hole 5 quarter. m (not indicated, true, at what depth, dimensions of the holes will depend on the depth). And mine applicability at depths of up to 40-60 m (depending on the type of fuse), and delay detonator varies from 1 to 20 no, and by 15 min to 40 day (yet again, with different types of fuses). it is equipped with a 2 fuses types PDM or PDM-1M-20M, It may be provided with AHD and EN, therefore, prohibited its disposal. Magnets confidently hold the mine and on the ship, walking with a speed of more than 30-35 with. More modest mine BPM weighs 7 kg and the weight of explosives (mixture TGA) at 2,8 kg hit in the same 7-mm hole in the housing 2 quarter. m, and also applicability at depths of up to 60m and the undermining of slowing down now from 15 minutes before 40 day. Thus BPM hit steel structures from 4,5 cm thick and which makes a half-meter hole. And under the water its action is reinforced. But there are underwater mines and weighing hundreds of kilograms, like we have, and in the armies of several NATO countries,, eg, Italians have the object underwater mine weighing 230 kg. However, this would cause very different damage, so here we can talk about a small mine-type Soviet BPM or UTM, English Limpet Mk1 and Mk3, etc.. As a matter of fact, UAE authorities after the investigation and talk about such mines, but it does not name any brand (and after all of the collected debris can be installed), or just do not show, who would it make. but clearly, mined that the ships were on the roads or in port. Among underwater saboteurs even the world's best parts like the Soviet / Russian MCI fleets or marine commando units of the Armed Forces Command MTR, or, let us say, British and American colleagues, generally, no suicides - mining ships on the move at sea, no one will. Despite all the technical equipment such as submarines, special-purpose, including nuclear, mini-submarines, “wet” and “dry” PSD (underwater flows) and personal media, this is extremely dangerous. You can get screw, and no amount of technology can not help.
Patriotic site-ming BPM
Domestic mine site-UPM
British mine Limpet Mk1 (or Rigid Limpet). Despite, that it was created during the time of the Second World, still it is in service with the Navy in Britain, and in several other countries, although for a long time already and more modern counterparts
The new attack, Considering, that it did not occur near the port, although not on the high seas, but in the Strait, first gave rise to rumors about the torpedo attack. But, yet again, no one saw and did not record it, no exploding boats. Media reports about the alleged flown shells can also be attributed to the “tvitternoy war” with Iran, because what else could the artillery shelling tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, but the Iranian? Bottom or anchor mines - too crazy version, of course. Iranians will not be difficult to fill up the Strait of mine even secretly, Using a fleet of small and midget submarines, but why do it right now? And why only two ships undermined and why these?
“Xajli lajkli”
The Americans immediately began pedaling thesis on mining vessels such as adhering mines. And if the type of weapons, likely, should agree, it's so, they claim, as the first, and a second attack made Iranian, must not. even claim, they have video, Iranian sailors (!) removed from the boat on board a tanker from quiescent mine. We would like to take a look, but so far no video has not been published. In fact,, unknown, that there is a mine, and our mines of this type without a special device and from the side, no one can tear. Just empower, let us say, pry bar or crowbar between the object and the mine will not work. more precisely, empower, can, and can be, but to tear mine - no, ming weight 7 kg retained with a force more than a hundred kilos.
And how, even if the Iranians really shot mine, this proves their guilt? We saw a suspicious object, classified, examined, We decided to withdraw from the object (although it is risky), lifted. Americans saw a mine aboard his personal aircraft autograph Rahbar Iran? And Putin's portrait, let us say, just in case, there was no? So far, all these American statements are at the same level of evidence, as the legendary “Case Skripal” with their “xajli lajkli”. Even the expression is used.
a feeling, Americans simply “sewing business” Iran. Yes, Iran, of course, He stated, that is willing and able to block the oil traffic through Hormuz. And he really can do it, and not only sabotage mines. Iran has sufficient funds for this purpose - a large ocean-going submarine, small and midget submarines, equipped and RCC including. A large number of missile boats with RCC, Numerous divisions of coastal RCC (even subsonic, but a lot of them) and anti-ballistic missiles of short-range. A large number of tools and mining themselves min. Aviation, drone strike, that bit you. Yes, there are underwater sabotage forces. Iranian divers-scouts were trained at one time even the Americans and British, We had combat experience during the Iran-Iraq war, both on the rivers, and the sea, including the experience of successful acts of sabotage. They are very well equipped and trained, and even in competitions during the international military games is proven. So, Last year they were in competition “Depth” ARMY 2018 and won, true, He was held in Iran, that much easier for them. They worked in Yemen, judging by the many reports, and training of local divers have Huthis, and not only. Especially, off the coast of Yemen that Iran has a permanent floating special base, Ships Special Operations “Saviz”, remodeled 23-tysyachetonnogo cargo ship, equipped with different types of boats, hyperbaric chambers, underwater flows and reconnaissance. This “stationeer” from 2017 g. does not get out of the Red Sea.
Iranian Navy Ships Special Operations “Saviz” in his usual anchor position in the Red Sea, in front of the Saudi port of Jizan
A vot i itself
But why, tell, Iranians undermining the court so, to undermine occurred in their own waters? Iranians like idiots? on husitov, ie Iran “proxy”, also not very similar. Those usually take responsibility for the, that did: irrelevant, blow is the capital of Iran BRSD, shock at the airport or UAV, as the newly, long range cruise missile Iranian production. And then suddenly silent as a fish. In addition, the court came from different ports and different countries, as they were able to mine? maybe, mined their, when they advocated in the queue at the entrance to the channel in the Strait. And certainly not the Iranians. rather, you might think, it made Americans, or, perhaps, Englishmen with their feed. The more that western-made mines, the Iranians could stay, and even invent anything and do not need to get. joined dopotopnый “Limpet” from the dusty corners of the warehouse - and then blame the Iranians. Conveniently! The popularity of the network version of the involvement of Israelis, likely, should reject. I do not have Israeli navy to operate in the Gulf, and secretive transfer of Israeli submarines with commandos through the Mediterranean and bypassing Africa (this would pass through the Suez Canal has been fixed), seriously can not believe. None of these Navy experience of similar campaigns, And many other things there. And to act with some chartered surface platforms at all the hostile environment of the Arab Gulf, too, would not work.
Old and new Tonkin incident “tanker”
But the Americans have experience on similar provocations rich, beginning with “samopodrыva” bronenosnogo kreysera “Maine” on the roads of Havana. Recall though “Tonkin incident”, which began with the Vietnam War, which ended in a loss for the US. Then, 2 August 1964 g. already obsolete destroyer “Maddox”, encroached (Americans deny) in the territorial waters of Vietnam, It was attacked by three North Vietnamese torpedo boats. During the battle, which was attended and fighters “Crusader” aircraft carrier “Tykonderoha”, virtually the destroyer sank a boat, He evaded virtual torpedoes and went seaward. One episode was not enough, and 4 August, during a storm, already two destroyers, “Maddox” with its obsolete equipment, often lovivshey “bugs”, and more modern “quaternary Joy”, “saw the” attack 10 boats on the radar screen and heroically fought with ghosts, Nobody potopiv. In this case, one of the ships did not see anything on the screen even, but still shot. Nevertheless, This embroidered with white thread of the episode was enough for a decision on the application of air strikes against bases of the Navy boats DRV and tank farms, and then was adopted and “tonkinskaya resolution” Congress, granted the regime of President Lyndon Johnson's legal basis for war in the region without a declaration of war, Vietnam. How it ended - known.
Here we also see, that first episode did not cause the desired reaction, and followed by a second. Moreover, it was preceded by a fire on Iranian oil platform the day before this. I do not whether arranged it too American “seals” из Navy SEALs?
But still, as it seems to the author, present “Tonkin tanker incident”, at least until, will not lead to war with Iran. Too different weight and the possibility of DRV (even with the Soviet Union and China behind) MACRO, Americans, too, are not the same, that earlier. maybe, it only has the usual defamation of Iran by any means, including to persuade Tehran to negotiate on their terms. already familiar “rack-Diplomacy” from Swap. Or, perhaps, Bolton? Grandpa has failed and work in North Korea, and Syria with Russia, and China, and Venezuela - now fails and Iran?
I. Vyatkin, especially for “military review”
