The Story of Soviet-Trained Kamikaze Dolphins Purchased by Iran

The Soviet Union developed a specialized military program to train dolphins and other marine mammals for naval warfare, a legacy that reportedly extends to the current military capabilities of Iran. These animals were trained at a dedicated facility in Sevastopol, Crimea, to perform high-risk tasks including the detection of underwater mines and the identification of enemy divers.

The program in Sevastopol focused on leveraging the natural sonar and agility of dolphins to secure naval ports and monitor underwater activity. While primarily used for reconnaissance and defense, reports indicate the training included offensive capabilities, leading to the description of these animals as “kamikaze” dolphins due to their role in sabotage and attack missions.

Among the primary objectives of the Soviet naval mammal program was the ability to detect divers and underwater equipment that traditional sonar systems might miss. Dolphins were trained to locate submerged objects and alert their handlers, providing a biological layer of security for the Soviet Black Sea Fleet.

Beyond detection, the “kamikaze” designation stems from training designed to turn the animals into delivery systems for underwater weaponry. This involved training dolphins to carry explosive charges or specialized devices and attach them to the hulls of enemy ships or underwater infrastructure.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the facility in Sevastopol continued to operate, transitioning through various administrative shifts between Ukraine and Russia. During this period, the expertise and the animals themselves became assets of strategic interest to other nations seeking to enhance their asymmetric naval warfare capabilities.

Iran subsequently sought to establish its own naval mammal program, reportedly acquiring dolphins and training methodologies derived from the original Soviet system. By integrating these biological assets into its naval strategy, Iran aimed to increase its surveillance and sabotage capabilities in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic value of these animals for Iran lies in their ability to operate stealthily in shallow waters where traditional submarines or unmanned underwater vehicles may be easily detected or restricted by geography. The use of trained mammals allows for the covert placement of mines or the detection of foreign naval divers in contested waters.

The use of marine mammals in military operations is not exclusive to the former Soviet bloc. The United States Navy operates the Marine Mammal Program, which employs dolphins and sea lions. However, the U.S. Program focuses primarily on non-lethal missions, such as the detection of sea mines and the recovery of lost equipment.

The distinction between the U.S. Approach and the Soviet-Iranian model is the emphasis on offensive sabotage. While the U.S. Utilizes mammals for mine countermeasures and object recovery, the Soviet legacy passed to Iran emphasizes the use of animals as active participants in underwater attacks.

The deployment of such programs reflects a broader trend in asymmetric warfare, where nations utilize unconventional biological assets to counter the technological superiority of larger naval powers. By employing dolphins, these forces can conduct reconnaissance and sabotage with a lower risk of electronic detection.