Iran Tests Ra’ad Air Defense System During Naval Drills

Iran's navy said today it test-fired a range of weapons during ongoing “Valayat 91” maneuvers near the Strait of Hormuz. Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Rastgari said the Iranian-made air defense system Ra’ad (“Thunder”) was among the weapons tested, along with various torpedoes and underwater and surface-to-surface rockets as well as anti-ship missiles. (IRNA, 31 December)

The Raad system was on show during a military parade in Tehran in September for the first time. It is reportedly designed to confront fighter jets, cruise missiles, smart bombs, helicopters and drones. Iran said the system fires missiles with a range of 30 miles, capable of hitting targets at 75,000 feet.

The “Valayat 91” naval drills began on Friday and ends on Wednesday. To view related photos, please click here, here and here.

Photo credit: A Ra’ad (“Thunder”) air defense system with Taer-2 missiles displayed during a military parade in Tehran. 21 September 2012. (IRNA/AP)

Iran Denies Blocking Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian Navy announced today it is not planning to close the Strait of Hormuz during its ongoing “Velayat 91” drills that will end Wednesday.

“The Navy has issued no warnings [about the closure]. Under international regulations, notification is to be sent to ships passing by during any military drill in order to prevent potential damage,” said Rear Admiral Amir Rastegari, IRIN spokesman. (Press TV, 29 December)

Adm. Rastegari was responding to media reports that the IRIN had already issued such warning to foreign vessels.

File photo: (Reuters/Fars News/Hamed Jafarnejad)

Iran Navy Ships at ‘Valayat 91’ Drills

Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibolah Sayyari on the deck of Tareq (901) submarine

Tareq (901) patrol submarine with ASW capability

Gorz (P 228) patrol boat

Ghadir (950) midget submarine

Alborz (72) guided missile frigate 

Photo credit: IRNA/Mohammad Reza Alamdadi, 28 December 2012