Iran Unveils New Air Defense Systems at Military Parade

Iran has displayed new domestically-manufactured air defense systems as part of the annual military parade held in Tehran to mark National Army Day on April 18.

The low-altitude homegrown air defense systems dubbed "Majid" and "Zulfiqar," as well as the long-range air defense missile system “Damavand” and the “Khatam” artillery fire control system were put on a display during the parade.

"Zulfiqar" is equipped with a mechanized multi-launcher system and can connect to electro-optic systems. “Majid" consists of electro-optical fire control detectors able to detect and destroy cruise missiles and drones. Another feature of these systems, which use Aras military vehicle as a launcher carrier, is the high mobility. The use of Aras military vehicle makes both systems suitable for use in ground force armored units, which have been transformed into mobile attack units with structural changes. “Damavand” can intercept and destroy various types of aircraft, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles. The "Khatam" artillery fire control system is capable of striking various aerial targets at low altitudes.

As part of the military parade, the Iranian Army also displayed dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used for reconnaissance and combat missions, tanks, anti-aircraft batteries, advanced missile systems, and different kinds of electronic warfare systems. The list of drones showcased during the parade included the Kaman-22 long-range multifunctional strategic drone, the Mohajer-6 multifunctional drone, Mohajer-4, the modern Mohajer-2 reconnaissance drone, and many others.

In his message addressed to Major General Abdulrahim Mousavi, the Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Army, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, called on the Iranian military to "increase this preparedness as much as necessary."

Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressed the importance of the relationship between the Iranian people and the Iranian army. 

“The national security of Iran depends on the preservation of its territorial integrity, and this can be achieved only under the protection of Iran's national unity, and Iran's national unity can only be achieved through democracy,” the official website of the president quoted Rouhani as saying.

In his turn, Major General Mousavi said that "today, the drone capability of the Iran Army is the power and winning card of the Armed Forces which be used on the battlefield if needed." He further added that “the most important point is that the Army has achieved such drone power in the years of maximum pressure and sanctions.”