TEHRAN -- The second stage of large-scale Iqtedar (might) drills involving the Iranian air defense units started on Tuesday, focusing on the protection of the southwestern airspace.
The air defense bases participating in the exercise practiced tactics to detect, track, intercept and shoot down hostile targets over areas in southwest and central Iran.
Iran’s homegrown ‘Majid’ air defense missile system took the lead during the new stage of the drill by bringing down various types of pilotless aircraft.
On February 2, the Defense Ministry unveiled an upgraded version of Bavar 373 air defense missile system, whose launcher stations have been equipped with separate radar sets that provide detection and tracking of targets as well as fire control, allowing each launcher to act independently without reliance on a central radar.
Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Bagheri said both the offensive and defensive capabilities of the armed forces are key to ensuring sustainable and effective deterrence.
“Despite facing an imposed eight-year war, sanctions, counter-revolutionary conflicts, terrorist groups, and other conspiracies from our enemies, the country’s armed forces and military capabilities have attained a level of authority across various fields,” he said.
“This growth has resulted in a strong deterrent power for the country.”
Iran’s armed forces, he said, have been equipped with modern and advanced systems and equipment to address current threats, noting that they have achieved the highest level of readiness.
Gen. Bagheri stressed the importance of developing an integrated command and control network for air defense to address outside threats.