Iranian Air Defense Systems Perform Perfectly in Drill


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian Army units have detected, intercepted and detonated a range of aerial targets with advanced homegrown air defense systems during a large-scale military exercise, underway in southeast of Iran.

During the main stage of the Zolfaqar 1401 joint drills, held in an area stretching from the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz to the northern tip of the Indian Ocean, the Iranian Army forces practiced downing hostile drones with various radar systems.

The low-altitude ‘Majid’ air defense missile system and ‘Khatam’ artillery fire control system were employed to detect, intercept and hit the aerial targets over the war game zone.

Majid is an agile electro-optical air defense missile system with the engagement range of eight kilometers. Equipped with a long-range thermal optical system, the air defense system is paired with Khatam artillery fire control system to hit targets.

In another operation, the combat helicopters of the Army Ground Force’s Airborne Division carried out sorties in harsh weather, while reconnaissance and assault drones attacked ground sites.

On Friday, the Army units exercised amphibious operations in the drill, during which the Navy commandos conquered target areas along the Makran coasts with a range of tactics and weapons, including speedboats, assault ships, wet subs, and rocket-launching frigates.

The Navy’s Tunb amphibious ship also carried armored units to the coastal zones and disembarked T-72 tanks and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles during beaching operation.

Deputy Chief of the Iranian Army for Coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari has said that the infantry and armored units as well as mechanized regiments of the Army’s Ground Force, air defense systems, subsurface, surface and flying vessels and rangers of the Navy have taken part in the war game. Strategic bombers of the Air Force will also provide logistical support.

The drill is aimed at improving planning skills, conducting, directing and evaluating joint operations and synergizing the defense power of the Army’s four main divisions.