More Iranian-made fast attack craft are in the Western Hemisphere as Venezuela takes possession of a new batch of Peykaap III Class missile boats. Maritime analysts like H. I. Sutton said Iran sent a batch of four Peykaaps to Venezuela last year. Now, video of the boats being operated by Venezuelan sailors are showing up on social media.
Peykaap Class boats — also called Zolfaqar Class in Iran — were originally designed in North Korea. Peykaaps come in three basic variations. The Peykaap I is armed with torpedoes, Peykaap IIs can carry two anti-ship missiles and Peykapp IIIs are equipped to carry both. Machine guns are also a common site on the boats as well.
Peykaap IIIs can launch Kowsar and NASR anti-ship missiles. The Kowsars have a range of about 12 miles. NASRs are effective out to about 21 miles. Precision-guided missiles launched from fast attack craft is all someone like Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would need to disrupt commercial shipping.
A Peykaap craft is just under 60 feet long, and it’s powered by twin diesel engines. It can hit speeds over 50 knots, which is about 57 miles per hour.
Venezuela took possession of the new fast attack craft a few months after the country held a referendum to annex a region in neighboring Guyana known as Essequibo. It’s a rural area that is hard to access and covered in thick rainforests. It also holds vast deposits of oil and rare earth minerals.
When Maduro announced the referendum to seize Essequibo in his country, the international backlash was swift and enough to make Maduro back down.
However, satellite images show Venezuela never stopped improving its access points along the Cuyuní River that separates the two countries. The improvement projects included building new boat ramps and clearing jungle to create staging areas.
Venezuelan troops also continue to train near the river crossings. So, an additional batch of new Iranian-made missile boats isn’t exactly a calming thought for Guyana. The country’s military is not as strong as Venezuela’s, which has arguably one of the most capable militaries in South America.
Guyana and the United States maintain a defensive partnership, and hold joint military exercises on a regular basis. The relationship could impact Maduro’s decision to invade or not.
Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, said he’s close to the leaders of both Guyana and Venezuela, and he is working to broker a lasting peace between the two.
“[The situation] is stable,” Gonsalves said. “You still have differences, but the important thing is to have peace, and to talk, and not to fight. They should do that in Ukraine. They should do that in Gaza.”
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on 3/12/2024. In a previous version, the article said Venezuela had, “arguably the strongest military in South America.” The story was updated to say Venezuela has, “arguably one of the strongest militaries in South America.”
