Iran to Unveil New Medium-Range Cruise Missile

IRGC Brig. Gen. Mehdi Farahi, the director of Defense Ministry’s Aerospace Organization, said today in Tehran that Iran plans to unveil a medium-range cruise missile with a range of more than 2,000 kilometer. The missile is named Meshkat.

“Meshkat cruise missile, which God willing will be unveiled soon, has a range of more than 2,000 kilometers. It will be the upper hand of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Gen. Farahi. “Meshkat cruise missile will have submarine, ground and air-launched properties and could also be fired from a warplane,” he added.

Iran already produces cruise missiles such as the surface-to-surface Nasr and short-range anti-vessel radar-guided Zafar.

Production Launch For Nasr-1 Missile

According to Fars News Agency:

The Iranian Defense Ministry started mass-production of Nasr 1 (Victory 1) cruise missiles on Sunday.

"Nasr 1 missile is a cruise missile capable of destroying 3-ton weighted vessels," Iranian Interior Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said at a ceremony to inaugurate Nasr 1 production line at the defense ministry's Aerospace Industries Organization.

Vahidi also said that Nasr 1 is a short-range coast-to-sea and sea-to-sea missile which could be fired from coasts and all types of vessels.

He announced that his ministry plans to enhance tactical capabilities of the missile, saying the missile will soon be equipped with the capability to be fired from choppers and submarines.

The minister stressed that once the Army's Navy and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) naval forces come in possession of these mass-produced cruise missiles, the Islamic Republic of Iran's naval defense capability would experience an outstanding jump forward.

In December 2008, The Iranian naval forces successfully test-fired the surface-to-surface Nasr 1 in the final stage of Unity 87 wargames in the Persian Gulf waters.

The surface-to-surface Nasr-1 missile was fired from a warship and hit its target at a distance of 30 km (19 miles) and destroyed it. It was the first test of the new missile.

click photos to enlarge

Photos: Borna News Agency

Iran Tests New Missile

The Fars News Agency photo reportedly shows Nasr-1 missile at test launch

Gulf of Oman

6 December 2008

Iran has test-launched a new missile during its naval war games in the Gulf of Oman. Nasr-1 (Victory-1) missile was launched on Saturday from a warship and reportedly hit its surface target at a distance of 30 km (19 miles).

The Iranian Navy has deployed over 60 ships and other military hardware during the Ettehad-87 (Unity-08) naval exercises.