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Mersad missile on display
Photo: AFP

Iran substitutes S-300 air defense system

Tehran says it has developed missile capable of tracking, striking aircraft at distance of 70 to 150 km

Iran has developed its own version of the Russian S-300 air defense system, Fars news agency reported on Thursday.

 

Military officials stated that the Mersad missile ("Ambush" in Persian) was developed and produced by Iranian engineers, and is designed to trail and hit "any enemy aircraft at a distance of 70 to 150 kilometers (40 to 90 miles).

 

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"The missile's control systems are advanced, and can track moving targets," said a military official, adding that the system has undergone many tests in the past few months, some under "severe conditions."

 

Some four years ago, Russia signed a contract with Iran for the supply of S-300 air defense system, but was placed under massive pressure not to supply the goods.

 

Last year, after the United Nations Security Council aggravated the sanctions against the Islamic Republic, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree banning shipments to Iran of the weapons and equipment listed in the UN resolution, but promised to reimburse Tehran over $166 million for the botched deal.

 

Iran heavily criticized Russia for violating the agreement, but announced that it would produce its own missile defense system.

 

Earlier this week, Iran announced that it had begun mass production of a cruise missile capable of targeting battleships. The Iranian foreign minister noted that the "Radar" missiles have been transferred to the military and Navy, in order to safeguard Iran's maritime borders.

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.30.11, 09:45
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