Iran successfully fires S-200 missile in Bandar Abbas

Iran successfully fired the S-200 missile in Bandar Abbas, the southern Iran, on Wednesday during the third day of the joint air defense maneuvers of the Armed Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the commander of the Khatam-ol-Anbia Anti-Aircraft Base announced. “The S-200 missile is a surface-to-air long-rang missile which is able to counter strategic aircrafts and semi-ballistic missiles,” Brigadier General Farzad Esmaeili told reporters in Birjand, South Khorassan Province. The new the domestically designed and manufactured S-200 air defense system can take part in various aerial combat tactics and operations, and enable us to hit different targets at any distance, Esmaeili added. Esmaeili described the system’s use in defense in depth strategies as the significant feature of the S-200 missile. The four-day military drill, entitled the Defenders of the Sky of Velayat 4, which was launched on Monday, is currently underway in the eastern province of South Khorassan with the participation of 8000 Iranian military forces. Iran’s S-200 air defence system was first displayed in September. The S-200 is a Russian-made, medium to high altitude surface-to-air missile system designed primarily to track, target, and destroy aircraft and cruise missiles. As part of the military manoeuvrs, Iran on Monday unveiled its first hovercraft vessel, dubbed “Tondar,” or Thunder, capable of launching missiles and surveillance drones, the report said. Iran unveiled and test fired new home-made missile systems including optimized the mid-range Hawk air defense missiles. Defence Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi told reporters during the inauguration of the amphibious assault ship that Iran now has joined a group of five other countries with the know-how for hovercraft production. Tehran has tried to build a self-sufficient military program since 1992, manufacturing its own tanks, armoured personnel carriers, missiles, radars, boats, submarines, and fighter jets. More recently, Iran’s military leaders have said they believe future wars will be air- and sea-based and Tehran has sought to upgrade its air defence systems and naval power in anticipation of such a possibility. Iran regularly holds military exercises aimed at boosting its defence capabilities and testing new equipment. Tehran also occasionally announces additions to its arsenal, holds inauguration ceremonies, starts up new production lines and test-fires new missiles.