Iran successfully tested Saturday the Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system purchased from Russia and integrated into the Islamic Republic’s defense system.
The Iranian Fars news agency reported that the missile system successfully detected, tracked, and intercepted a ballistic missile during the test launch. The test-firing was conducted in the presence of several military and government officials at a shooting range in one of the country’s defense units, whose location was not publicized.
The military exercise was carried out with the aim of analyzing the performance of the S-300 system, assessing the capability of the system in engaging targets with a low radar cross section and ballistic missile threats as well as the ability of Iranian officers to use the system.
In this respect, air defense commander General Farzad Esmaili told the state television that a domestically manufactured air defense system dubbed Bavar 373 which was “more advanced than the S-300” would be tested very soon. “The S-300 is a system that is deadly for our enemies and which makes our skies more secure,” he said.
Iran’s activation of the defense system comes amid mounting tensions with the new US administration of President Donald Trump, who imposed sanctions after Iran tested a medium-range ballistic missile in January.
The deal to buy the S-300 system was originally signed in 2007 but Russia suspended it in 2010 citing a UN ban on arms sales to Iran. It was revived after the nuclear deal between Iran and major powers went into effect in January last year.
In August, state television aired footage of the system being installed around the Fordo nuclear site in a mountain near Qom, south of the capital.
Source: News Agencies
