LF: Iran Displays Advanced Ballistic Missiles, Air Defense Systems & Anti-Ship Missiles on Army Day Parade

Title: Iran Displays Advanced Ballistic Missiles, Air Defense Systems & Anti-Ship Missiles on Army Day Parade
Source: Defense Update
URL Source: http://www.defense-update.com/featu ... iranian_missiles_20042010.html
Published: Apr 21, 2010
Author: Defense Update
Post Date: 2010-04-21 19:34:15 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 1279
Comments: 1

Iran's S-300 'look-alike' - Hoax or Reality?

Iran has unveiled several new missiles and UAVs at the 2010 Army Day Parade, highlighting long-range ballistic missiles of the solid-propelled Safir and liquid propelled Shahab family. Iran also hints on the existence of a new missile in its arsenal, an S-300 'look-alike'. The vehicle displayed on the parade carries four cylindrical canisters measuring roughly as the S-300 container-launcher, but the Iranian vehicle does not show any erection apparatus. If these vehicles are part of a real system, they could be vehicles carrying reload missiles. The system is definitely not the Russian S-300, but could be a derivative of the Chinese HQ-9.

Iranian S-300 'look alike' missile carriers shown on the Army Day Paradein Tehran, April 18, 2010. These vehicles seem to be carrying mock-ups representing a future missile being developed by Iran. The design looks similar to the Russian S-300 or Chinese HQ-9, but is too simplistic to represent an operational SAM unit. Photo: Ali Rafiei, Fars

Yet, the likelihood of this vehicle being a true missile is questionable, according to Aviation Week reporter Dave Fulghum, that considers the Iranian display a hoax. Iran has claimed for several months now that it has developed an indigenous air-defense missile comparable to the S-300 it has ordered from Russia. Iran is also modernizing its Hawk missiles, into the locally modified Hawk (Shahin) to improve its air defense capability. Iran has also introduced the Mersad (Ambush) - a further improved version of the Hawk. Iran's Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said recently that Iran's defense industries began full scale production of the Mersad surface-to-air missile, considered to be superior to the US-made Hawk missile Iran received from the USA during the 1970s. The Mersad introduces modern radar signal processing technology, an advanced launcher, and improved guidance and target acquisition systems.

The parade included mostly locally developed and produced systems, and, therefore has not displayed the latest air defense system in Iran's arsenal – the SA-15 Tor delivered by Russia few years ago. These point defense missiles being used to defend many of its nuclear sites.

The Iranians are also planning to introduce locally developed radars to replace a series of aging Russian-made systems currently deployed in the Persian Gulf. "The systems will be designed and installed chiefly for defense purposes," said Vice President for Science and Technology, Nasrin Soltankhah. She added that the new radar systems will also feature capabilities to provide meteorological data for weather forecasting and analysis.

Iran's Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said recently that Iran's defense industries began full scale production of the Mersad surface-to-air missile, considered to be superior to the US-made Hawk missile Iran received from the USA during the 1970s. The Mersad introduces modern radar signal processing technology, an advanced launcher, and improved guidance and target acquisition systems.

An Iranian fast boat launching the Nasr-1 anti-ship missile. Photo: MEHR

Anti-Ship Missiles on Display

Two classes of antiship missiles participated in the parade. The Ra'ad (Thunder), is the first indinenously produced anti-ship missile from Iran. Based on the Chinese HY-2 Silkworm, the Ra'ad and its Silkworm launcher were matched to a tracked platform to provide an all-terrain weapon system that can be deployed along the coastal plains of the Persian Gulf. The missile has a maximum range of 360 km. Iran is also producing three types of anti-ship missiles designed for operation from surface vessels or land vehicles.

These include the Chinese C-802, the land-based configuration carries three missiles, capable of attacking surface targets at distances of 120-180 km. The missile has an autonomous (self-targeting) range of 40 km. The Kosar is a smaller, short-range version of the Chinese C-701, This missile can be guided using radar or TV guidance.
Nasr 1 seems to be a stretched version the Kosar, based on the Chinese C-704 design. It seems to be longer than the Kosar and has a heavier warhead, capable of destroying larger ships, with displacement of up to 3,000 tons. The Iranians designate the weapon a 'cruise missile', but it seems it is more likely a short-to-medium range anti-ship missile. Two years ago a Nasr 1 missile was fired at a naval exercise at a range over 30 km. There are probably two versions of the missile – one using radar guidance and another, operating a TV seeker. A longer range version of the Nasr could also be in development – most probably a long-range naval attack weapon based on the Chinese turbojet-powered C-705 cruise.

Latest Ballistic Missiles on Parade

Among the ballistic missiles displayed on the parade were two Shahab 3 missiles and the solid-propelled Sejjil 2. All missiles were seemingly of operational capability, carried on erector-launchers, by commercial trucks.

Above: Sejjil-2 long range ballistic missile. Photo: Ali Rafiei, Fars

Above: An Iranian Shahab-3B ballistic missile. This variant has a larger warhead, compared to both the Shahab-3 and the Shahab-3M. Photo: Ali Rafiei, Fars

Fateh 110 short range guided missile is believed to be based on the unguided Zelzal-1 rocket is probably the Iranian first attempt to develop an advanced ballistic missile having trajectory shaping, terminal maneuvering and precision attack capability. From the images have been released sofar it seems that the missile seems to be in development. Photo: Ali Rafiei, Fars

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