IRGC-ASF takes mass delivery of latest Iranian ballistic missile types

According to MODAFL and Iranian media sources, in a ceremony attended by Iranian Minister of Defense IRGC Brigadier General Dehgan, the IRGC-ASF has accepted mass delivery of Ghadr-H MRBMs and Qiam SRBMs (claimed capable of MRV payloads), as well as Fateh-110-D SRBMs and Khalij Fars ASBMs.

There can be no doubt that this publicized delivery, in addition to the defense-related publicity last week involving no less than President Rouhani, is a direct response to U.S. inclusion of ballistic missiles in the ongoing nuclear talks. Iranian officials have publicly pushed back on this inclusion, as is further evident with this latest publicity.

In addition to ballistic missiles, the Iranians are also claiming a mass delivery to IRIADF of Mersad air defense systems.

Numbers of IRGC-ASF Ghadr-H MRBMs

Numbers of Ghadr-H MRBMs with Qiam SRBMs visible in back

Detail of IRGC-ASF Ghadr-H MRBM claimed capable of MRV payloads

Assumed to be Qiam SRBMs claimed capable of MRV payloads

Another structure stocked with IRGC-ASF ballistic missiles

Over twenty ballistic missiles apparent in this view

Examples of Fateh-110-D SRBM and Khalij Fars ASBM

Detail of Fateh-110-D SRBM

Fateh-110-D SRBM sections

Fateh-110-D SRBM sections with serials

Minister of Defense IRGC Brigadier General Dehgan as seen at delivery ceremony

Claimed mass delivery to IRIADF Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base of Mersad air defense systems. Above: upgraded MIM-23B I-HAWK type surface-to-air missiles.

Mersad air defense system's Kavosh pulse acquisition radar (upgraded AN/MPQ-50)

Mersad air defense system's Jouiya continuous wave acquisition radar

Photos: MODAFL

National Artesh Day

Today Iran celebrated the National Artesh (military) Day. During the annual parade in Tehran, the Artesh unveiled a new version of its Mersad Air Defense System, Mersad 2, as well as drones named Hazem 3 and Ya Zahra 3.

The Mersad is a mid-range system capable of hitting airplanes in low and mid altitudes, comprised of target tracing and tracking radars, soft and hardware networks, launch pads for missiles and a command and control center.

The drones are long-range aircraft designed for targeting and reconnaissance operations and carrying cargo, said Brig. Gen. Farzad Esmaili, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base. (Fars News Agency, 18 April)

Also on display in today’s parade were Fakour and Qader air-to-surface missiles; Shahab, Thamen and Matla' al-Faj radar systems; Nazeat 60 and Nazeat M10 missile launching system; as well as Zelzal and Qased missiles. 

Defenders of Velayat Skies IV - IRIADF (2)

Mersad Air Defense System test

MIM-23B I-HAWK type ("Shalamcheh") SAM battery

I-HAWK type ("Shalamcheh") missile launch

I-HAWK type ("Shalamcheh") missile in flight

Karrar UAV target drone launch

Karrar target drone in flight

AN/MPQ-50 type "Kavosh" Pulse Acquisition Radar (PAR)

"Jouiya" Continuous Wave Acquisition Radar (CWAR)

Iran military and IRI government observers

Jubilation over presumed success of SAM hit

Photos:

Majid Asgaripour  at Mehr News Agency

Mehdi Ghasemi at Fars News Agency

Islamic Republic News Agency

Defenders of Velayat Skies IV - IRIADF (1)

Updated Mersad Air Defense System

MIM-23B I-HAWKs type ("Shahin" or "Shalamcheh") 

with XM501 missile loader-transporter

AN/MPQ-50 type "Kavosh" Pulse Acquisition Radar (PAR)

AN/MPQ-46 type High Power Illuminating Radar (HPIR)

HPIR detail

I-Hawk type ("Shahin" or "Shalamcheh") launch

Skyguard Air Defense System

Oerlikon GDF-002 type "Samavat" 35 mm autocannon with generator unit

Skyguard Fire Control Radar

AAA and Personnel

Zu-23-2 23 mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon

IRIADF officers

Photos: 

Mehdi Ghasemi at Fars News Agency

Islamic Republic News Agency

Velayat-89 Military Maneuvers (1)

Velayat-89 military maneuvers are currently in progress, lasting a total of eight days and covering approximately 97,000 square miles of Iranian territorial waters. Included areas of operation are the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean.

click photos to enlarge

IRIAA Elicotteri Meridionali CH-47C Chinook (219) helicopters

Iranian chemical protective suit with M-15 type gas mask affixed. Background: IRIAA CH-47C Chinook.

IRIN Sikorsky RH-53D Sea Stallion (S-65)

IRIAA Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra (209) firing

unguided 70 mm (2.75”) rockets

IRIN Agusta AB-212ASW flies over a Pulse Acquisition Radar

IRIADF Shahin (I-HAWK) SAM battery

(Mersad air defense system)

IRIADF Pulse Acquisition Radar (Mersad air defense system)

Photos: Hossein Zohrevand at Fars News Agency, Younes Khani at Mehr News Agency

Mersad Air Defense System - Updated

According to Fars News Agency:

Iran built the first home-made mid-range missile defense system named as 'Mersad' [ambush], the defense ministry announced on Sunday. 


"The Mersad air defense system that is ready for delivery to the Air Defense Force is a mid-range defense system capable of destroying advanced airplanes in low and mid altitudes," Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told reporters.

Noting that the Mersad defense system enjoys superior and more capabilities than its western rivals like the Hag mid-range defense system, Vahidi reiterated that Mersad is resistant to electronic warfare and can be used as part of a network of radar and air defense systems.

"The Mersad missile defense system is comprised of different target tracing and tracking radars, soft and hardware networks, launch pads for Shahin missiles and a command and control center," he added.

In November, Lieutenant Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia air defense base General Seyed Reza Taheri told FNA that Iran has successfully increased the speed and range of its air defense systems.

"The air defense systems' operational speed and range have been promoted thanks to the attempts made by our country's experts. We are witnessing a jump in this field when considering the previous models," the commander said. 

 


Mersad Air Defense System Components:

click photos to enlarge

MIM-23 HAWK (Shahin) SAM battery

Pulse Acquisition Radar (PAR)

High Power Illuminator Radar (HPIR)

Continuous Wave Acquisition Radar (CWAR)

Left: Supplemental HPIR

Additional photos: Fars News Agency, Mehr News Agency.

Update: Video