A high-ranking Iranian military commander says the Islamic Republic is developing a new version of the powerful and high-precision Sayyad (Hunter) missile to be mounted on indigenous S-200 missile defense systems.Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili said on Friday that Iranian defense experts are working on the development of Sayyad-3 missile.
He added that the mid-range, high altitude and solid-fuel Sayyad-2 missile has proven successful in locating and hitting even small aerial targets.
Sayyad-2 surface-to-air missile is said to have a maximum range of between 200 and 350 kilometers. It has been designed based on state-of-the-art technology, which can destroy different types of helicopters, drones and targets with small radar cross-section, high speed and maneuverability within its operational range. It was first tested in April 2011, and is currently in the Iranian Armed Forces inventory.
In November 2010, Iran successfully test-fired its domestically designed and manufactured S-200 missile defense system.
It is a very long-range, medium-to-high altitude surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to defend large areas from bomber attacks or other strategic aircraft. Each battalion has 6 single-rail missile launchers and fire control radars. It can be linked to other, longer-range radar systems.
Each missile is launched by 4 solid-fueled strap-on rocket boosters. Maximum ranges are between 200 and 350 kilometers depending on the model.
Esmaili further noted on Friday that a new missile has been mounted on Mersad (Ambush) missile system, which is being used at Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base. He said the missile will surprise the enemy on the battlefield.
The state-of-the-art technology used in Mersad links it to other anti-aircraft batteries and provides it with the unique ability to combat electronic warfare.
In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and has attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.
Tehran has repeatedly assured other nations that its military might poses no threat to other countries since the Islamic Republics defense doctrine is based entirely on deterrence.
By Press TV
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