Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Iran’s so-called “Mosquito Fleet,” highlighting its effectiveness during recent military operations in the Middle East. He said the fleet’s use of small, fast, and heavily armed vessels demonstrates the growing importance of modern naval warfare tactics.
Speaking during a meeting with senior Russian naval officials on Sunday, Putin said Iran had successfully employed its fleet of compact attack craft in recent regional conflicts.
“Look at the conflict in the Middle East. Iran has used its ‘Mosquito Fleet’ very effectively. This represents a new technological approach,” Putin said. He added that Russia also operates small-tonnage naval vessels equipped with advanced weapon systems.
According to Russian state news agency Sputnik, Iran’s “Mosquito Fleet” includes around 20 Ghadir-class mini-submarines along with thousands of high-speed missile boats and attack craft.
Military analysts say these vessels pose a challenge to larger warships because of their small size, high speed, and ability to operate quickly in coastal waters. Their maneuverability makes them difficult to track and intercept during combat operations.
Another advantage is Iran’s network of underground coastal tunnels, where many of these boats can reportedly be concealed. This allows the vessels to be deployed rapidly while making them harder to target in long-range strikes.
The concept of a “Mosquito Fleet” focuses on using numerous small, agile, and relatively inexpensive naval platforms to counter larger and more heavily armed warships, particularly in confined waterways and near coastal regions.
