TEHRAN -- Iran’s Army on Sunday put to test its advanced missile defense systems, which successfully intercepted and destroyed intruding aircraft on the third day of large-scale drills off the country’s southern coasts.
On the third day of Zolfaghar 1401 maneuvers, the radars of the Mersad air defense system detected a hostile drone approaching the Iranian territory and successfully shot it down at an altitude of 25,000 feet and 150 kilometers from the country’s airspace.
Mersad is a mobile missile shield whose range of interception has been upgraded from 110 to 150 kilometers. It’s capable of being deployed in seven minutes and changing its location right after firing missiles at enemy targets.
Its detection range has been upgraded from 100 kilometers to 150 kilometers. The system employs sophisticated technologies, has high operational accuracy and continuity, and it can lock on targets and destroy them at a distance of 40 kilometers.
The Qadir radar system carried out a similar mission. The system, equipped with phased array technology, cannot be traced and destroyed by anti-radar missiles.
Also on Sunday, the Iranian Kilo-class Tareq attack submarine launched domestically-manufactured Mi’ad torpedoes for the first time to hit designated naval targets.
Iranian Army’s Sikorsky SH multi-mission helicopters launched an aerial torpedo into the water, which propelled itself to the target and destroyed it.
Thanks to its warhead with huge destructive power, the torpedo can steal up on the targets and annihilate and sink big naval vessels within seconds.
A distinguishing feature of Valfajr is the short pre-launch preparation time, which dramatically increases the tactical capabilities, performance, and rapid reaction of the combat units, either warships or submarines.
Valfajr is said to have a longer range, more precision, and higher destructive power compared to similar torpedoes.
Zolfaqar 1401 drills kicked off on Thursday night, and featured parts of the infantry, armored and mechanized units, surface, sub-surface and flying vessels, air defense systems, members of the marine commando force, and strategic bombers.
Drills spokesman Brigadier General Alireza Sheikh said the exercises were meant to promote training and combat readiness and implement some operational and intelligence plans to improve the security of the region.
He described the utilization of indigenous military hardware and equipment as one of the outstanding points of the war game.
Commander of the military exercises Deputy Army Chief Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the maneuvers bore the message that regional countries can ensure peace in their neighborhood through joint cooperation, without relying on outsiders.