SRBMs of Great Prophet IV

(Click photos to enlarge)

Tondar-69 (CSS-8) "Thunder" SRBM

Fateh-110 "Conquerer" SRBM

Zelzal "Earthquake" SRBM with new twin launcher system

Great Prophet IV Wargames, Stage 1 - Updated

The first day of "Great Prophet IV" (Payambar-e Azam) wargames included test firing of the Fateh-110, Tondar-69 and Zelzal missile systems. These three types are solid-fueled, short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM).

Brigadier General Hossein Salami, head of the IRGC Air Force, told reporters that the IRGC tested an experimental multiple launcher for the first time. Fars News Agency provided a photo of a dual launcher setup for the Zelzal missile system.

"The message of the war game for some arrogant countries which attempt to intimidate us is that we are able to give a proper, strong answer to their hostility quickly," Press TV quoted Brigadier General Salami as saying. He said the missiles successfully hit their targets. He further stated that Iranian engineers had enhanced the speed and precision of the missiles so they could be used in short-term or quick engagements. Now these missiles are able to be launched from positions that are not as easy to hit, he added.

Iran's Fateh missile has a range of 155 miles (250 kilometers), and is the most accurate missile in the IRGC arsenal. Fateh means "conqueror" in Farsi and Arabic. The Tondar-69 (CSS-8), meaning "thunder" in Farsi, has a range of about 95 miles (150 kilometers). Zelzal missiles, which come in three variants, have ranges of 95, 130 and 250 miles (150, 210 and 400 kilometers). Zelzal in Farsi means "earthquake".

Brigadier General Salami said the IRGC would test newly modified medium-range Shahab-1 and Shahab-2 missiles on Sunday night and long-range Shahab-3 missiles on Monday, during the drill which is set to last several days.

Update:


Specific aims of the Great Prophet IV missile exercises:
- Analysis of technical developments and tactics
- Increase accuracy
- Reducing the missile launch timing using new navigational systems
- New modifications to the warheads
- Using unprepared launch sites
- Testing multiple warheads
- Coordinated launch timing of multiple rockets and missiles
- Multiple launch coordination from unprepared sites to predetermined targets
- Reducing launch preperation timing


Above: IRGC Sukhoi Su-25UBK attack planes participating in the wargame.

Military Developments in Iran

In the past few days, the Iranian military has displayed new weaponry and the military commanders have been increasingly warning against an impending attack on the country.

During the parade in Tehran last Saturday, a medium-range ballistic missile, named Ghadr-1, and its launcher were put on display. The new missile reportedly has a range 500 kilometers more than Shahab-3.

Ghadr-1 was displayed along with older missiles such as Zalzal-3, Fateh-110, Shahab-1 and Shahab-3. The missiles are in the possession of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corp. (IRGC). IRGC also displayed its tanks, missile-carrying carriers and artillery units.

The new IRGC commander, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, said after the parade,“You have seen the missiles. Just pull the trigger and shoot." Jafari added, "Our message to the enemies is: Do not do it. They will regret it, as they are regretting it in Iraq."

The new jetfighter, Saegheh, was flown during the parade. Iran’s air force also deploys two other domestic fighters: Azarakhsh and Tazarv, a training jet.

In related developments, a published report in the US indicated that the US Navy has been alerted for new deployment to the Persian Gulf (Time, Sunday 23 September), and a retired US Air Force officer with experience at the Pentagon told CNN today that US Special Operations forces are already operating inside Iran and the “second phase of overt military action” will soon follow. Colonel Sam Gardiner told Wolf Blitzer that the action plan has been approved by the Pentagon and is now at the White House.