Iran tests indigenously manufactured air defense system
By Sara Rajabova
Iran has test-fired "Mersad" (Ambush) missile defense system, which is fully of Iranian production.
In an operational test conducted at a defense unit of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base, the mid-altitude missile system successfully targeted an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with an indigenous Shalamcheh missile, Press TV reported.
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base, Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili and other representatives of ministry of defense have attended the tests of air defense system. During the tests a drone was shot down a drone.
Esmaili said "Mersad" air defense system has medium-range system and can precisely reach the goal compared with the other foreign ones.
The state-of-the-art technology used in Mersad links it to other anti-aircraft batteries and provides it with the unique ability to combat electronic warfare.
In November 2010, Iran successfully test-fired its indigenous S-200 missile defense system. It is a long-range, medium-to-high altitude surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to defend large areas from bomber attacks or other strategic aircraft. It can be linked to other, longer-range radar systems.
Iranian media outlets report that Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems in recent years.
Since 1992, Iran has manufactured its own tanks, armoured personnel carriers, missiles, radars, boats, submarines and fighter planes. Iran also unveiled its first domestically-manufactured long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in 2010.
Iran has always stated that its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.