Iran: Ballistic Missile Intercepted by S-300 in Drills
During the ‘Damavand’ drills conducted in the presence of different Iranian military units and government officials, including Army Commander Major General Ataollah Salehi, also a mocked enemy drone was targeted and destroyed by the S-300 defense shield. The second spotting and interception was done without prior notice.
The Iranian military forces tested the Russian S-300 air defense system that has been recently delivered to Iran on Saturday.
The S-300 defense system was tested to assess its performance, using multiple flying targets and missiles.
Another goal pursued by the drills was assessing the S-300 system’s capability in confronting targets which enjoy a low radar cross section and ballistic threats, as well as the Air Defense forces’ ability to use the defense shield.
During the wargames, different stages of detecting, tracing, tracking and intercepting enemy threats by the S-300 were assessed in an electronic warfare scenario and the targets were all destroyed by the missile system.
The test came a few days after Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Wednesday that Iran is forcefully working on its home-made version of the sophisticated Russian S-300 missile defense system, dubbed as Bavar (Belief) 373.
“Steady work efforts are being made on Bavar 373 missile system and a number of tests have been carried out on this system, and these tests will continue until the date of delivery,” General Hatami said.
Asked if the Iranian air defense shield has been tested against incoming ballistic missiles, the deputy minister said all defensive projects, including development of this missile system, are moving ahead in accordance to their approved plans.
Iran designed and developed its own version of the S-300 missile shield after the Russians shrugged off delivery of their advanced missile defense system to Iran on the pretext of the UN Security Council sanctions.
The Iranian version has superior features over the original Russian model as it enjoys increased mobility, agility and reduced launch-preparation time.
Iranian commanders had earlier said that Bavar 373 is similar to its original Russian model and traces and intercepts high-altitude targets.
After the removal of sanctions, Russia delivered S-300 air defense systems to Iran under the existing contract.
In relevant remarks last August, Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli said that “the radar and missile defense system, Bavar-373, is a powerful and fully indigenous supplement for the S-300 defense system which will be put into operation soon”.
“The S-300 and Bavar-373 systems will be highly lethal for the enemy,” he added.
Noting that Iran is also building two other defense systems named Talash 2 and Talash 3, Esmayeeli said that the country no more needs the Russian-made S-400 missile shield.
