Iran’s Air Force today test-fired its S-200 surface-to-air missile defense system. IRINN quoted IRIAF Commander Brig. Gen. Ahmad Miqani as saying the Air Force had made its own modifications to the S-200 system. Gen. Miqani added that the exercise was to test the efficiency level of passive defense systems against foreign threat.
The S-200 is a forty-year old medium- to high-altitude mobile surface-to-air missile system designed by the Russians. Its principal purpose is to target and destroy aircraft and cruise missiles.
Iran reported last month an agreement with Russia to purchase the advanced S-300 systems. Iran has already purchased TOR-M1 system from Russia.
Interesting that this report of a test-firing of a modified S-200 contains a quote from an IRIAF commander, and not a representative from IRGC air defense.
ReplyDeleteJanes recently reported that Iran was set to acquire from Belarus two surplus trailer mounted S-300PT (SA-10A 'Grumble') systems.
A partial analysis of Iran's SAM network by Sean O'Connor, which make extensive use of google imagery, is available at:
http://geimint.blogspot.com/2007/09/iranian-sam-network.html
The reports on the test clearly indicate that IRIAF was in charge.
ReplyDeleteMark, as you have pointed out, this runs counter to our understandings that IRGC is indeed in charge of Iran’s missile force.
Thanks for the link to O’Connor piece on Iran’s air defense systems.
Perhaps a visible line of distinction for ground air defense is in weaponry, with the IRGC operating select AAA and the IRIAF operating select SAM sites within the network.
ReplyDeleteAs in the case of Iran's political structure, there exists parallel military institutions operating beside conventional military establishments.