Iran to build new anti-aircraft system
Source: Agencies |
April 12, 2010, Monday
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IRAN announced the development of a new, more advanced, anti-aircraft system, the defense minister said on national television yesterday.
Ahmad Vahidi said the new Mersad, or Ambush, air defense system would be able to hit modern aircraft at low and medium altitudes.
Based on a photo released by Iran's Defense Ministry, the Mersad will launch Iran's Shahin missiles, a local version of the 1970s-era United States-manufactured Hawk missile.
The Hawk missile has a range of 24 kilometers with a 54-kilogram warhead and was sold to Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Iran has been looking to upgrade its air defenses, especially as Israel has refused to rule out an air strike over concerns that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons - a charge it denies.
Iran ordered Russia's advanced S-300 air defense system in 2007, but none have been delivered, allegedly due to technical glitches, though many observers believe the delay stems from international opposition to the sale.
The S-300 missiles are capable of shooting down aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missile warheads at ranges of over 145 kilometers and at altitudes of about 27,400 meters.
The Iran Foreign Ministry said yesterday the country would file a formal complaint with the UN against the United States after US President Barack Obama excluded Iran from a pledge not to use nuclear weapons against countries that do not have them.
Ahmad Vahidi said the new Mersad, or Ambush, air defense system would be able to hit modern aircraft at low and medium altitudes.
Based on a photo released by Iran's Defense Ministry, the Mersad will launch Iran's Shahin missiles, a local version of the 1970s-era United States-manufactured Hawk missile.
The Hawk missile has a range of 24 kilometers with a 54-kilogram warhead and was sold to Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Iran has been looking to upgrade its air defenses, especially as Israel has refused to rule out an air strike over concerns that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons - a charge it denies.
Iran ordered Russia's advanced S-300 air defense system in 2007, but none have been delivered, allegedly due to technical glitches, though many observers believe the delay stems from international opposition to the sale.
The S-300 missiles are capable of shooting down aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missile warheads at ranges of over 145 kilometers and at altitudes of about 27,400 meters.
The Iran Foreign Ministry said yesterday the country would file a formal complaint with the UN against the United States after US President Barack Obama excluded Iran from a pledge not to use nuclear weapons against countries that do not have them.
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