Iran to Use Sayyad Missiles in S-200 Air Defense System

Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brig. Gen. Farzad Esmayeeli told reporters in Tehran today that Iran has “restructured” its Russian-made S-200 missile defense system to be operated with homemade Sayaad (“Hunter”) 2 missiles.

The Sayyad-2 static surface-to-air missiles reportedly have a maximum range of between 200 and 350 km, using radio illumination mid-course correction to fly towards the target with a terminal semi-active radar homing phase. The missile is based on Russian S-75 (NATO SA-2 Guideline) and is influenced by the Chinese HQ-2 and the HAWK and Standard missiles currently in the country’s air defense force inventory. It was first tested in April 2011.

Iran tested its S-200 anti-aircraft missile systems in November 2010. It is a long range, medium-to-high altitude surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to defend against bomber attack.

Gen. Esmayeeli also said that his command will soon test Bavar (“Belief”) 373 system – which he described as an Iranian version of Russian S-300 long-range air defense system. Russia has refused to deliver the S-300 to Iran despite having signed a sales contract with the country.

File photo: Sayyad-2 missiles (Hossein Fatemi/Fars News Agecny)

Iran Test-Fires Modified S-200 Missile

Iran’s Air Force today test-fired its S-200 surface-to-air missile defense system. IRINN quoted IRIAF Commander Brig. Gen. Ahmad Miqani as saying the Air Force had made its own modifications to the S-200 system. Gen. Miqani added that the exercise was to test the efficiency level of passive defense systems against foreign threat.

The S-200 is a forty-year old medium- to high-altitude mobile surface-to-air missile system designed by the Russians. Its principal purpose is to target and destroy aircraft and cruise missiles.

Iran reported last month an agreement with Russia to purchase the advanced S-300 systems. Iran has already purchased TOR-M1 system from Russia.