TEHRAN: Iran showcased its latest advancements in air defense technology on Saturday, revealing the Arman anti-ballistic missile system and the Azarakhsh low-altitude air defense system, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The unveiling ceremony, attended by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. Yemen’s Houthi group recently conducted a series of attacks on vessels associated with the United States, United Kingdom, and Israel in the Red Sea, expressing solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli bombardment.
Amidst retaliatory strikes and escalating violence, the United States has targeted sites within Yemen and facilities of armed groups in Iraq and Syria. In response, US military bases in Syria and Iraq have come under attack, while Israel has conducted strikes on Iranian targets in Syria.
System to Bolster Iran’s Air Defense Capabilities
The newly revealed air defense systems, Arman and Azarakhsh, are said to significantly enhance Iran’s air defense capabilities. The Arman system is said to have the capability to simultaneously engage six targets at distances ranging from 120 to 180 km, while the Azarakhsh system can detect and neutralize targets within a range of up to 50 km with four ready-to-fire missiles.
These advancements follow Iran’s previous unveiling of the domestically produced hypersonic ballistic missile, Fattah, in June, boasting a range of 1,400 km.