title: Project Negin
text: # Project Negin
  
  Negin (Persian: نگین, lit. 'gemstone') is the tentative title of an upcoming class of warship designed by Iran, unveiled in November 2019. The design of the vessel resembles littoral combat ship (LCS) in the American terminology, though Iranians have identified it as a 'heavy destroyer'.
  
  ## Design and construction
  
  The vessels in the class are to displace between 5,000 and 7,000 tons, according to what Iranian officials told press in November 2019. In April 2020, Iran announced that the design phase has been concluded and the construction of the lead ship will begin shortly.
  
  ## Analyses
  
  The project is described as an attempt to improve blue-water capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, by Farzin Nadimi of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Military journalist David Axe is skeptical that Iran can build such a warship.
  
  