Iran to Stage Massive Air Defense Wargames in October
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian air defense units plan to carry out massive nationwide exercises in October, Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaeili announced on Saturday.
Speaking to reports here in Tehran on Saturday, Esmaeili said that the nationwide joint air-defense exercises will be held in cold mountainous regions of Iran late in the Iranian month of Mehr (September 23 – October 22, 2013).
He added that the drills are aimed at testing air defense systems’ performance in different weather conditions.
Esmaeili further announced that “Haazem 3 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will be unveiled and tested” in the upcoming wargames.
Haazem is a newly unveiled Iranian UAV with bombing abilities. It is a long range aircraft which can be used in air defense operations.
The drone can be used in targeting and identification operations, and for carrying cargo.
Elsewhere, the Iranian commander said that Iran will unveil 15 air defense achievements tomorrow, including mid-range Shahab and Samen radars, and stated that the two radars enjoy high capability in detecting and identifying aerial vehicles in combat scenes.
Esmaeili added that ‘Ya Zahra 3’ missile system with new capabilities is another achievement due to be unveiled.
Earlier this week, a senior Iranian air defense commander announced that Iranian Air Defense units have successfully grounded and shooed away several enemy drones, adding that his forces are fully prepared to confront threats posed by all types of enemy drones.
“Recently, the air defense base has been able to ground and shoo away several enemy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles,” Lieutenant Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base for Executive Affairs General Shahrokh Shahram told Tasnim on Monday.
“Therefore” he noted “the air defense units have accomplished their mission in confronting (enemy) drones.”
The commander further stated that the base is in possession of several types of drones and has used them in several wargames in a bid to test and boost air defense units’ preparedness to confront aerial attacks by potential enemy drones.
“Therefore, the air defense forces are fully prepared to repel aerial threats posed by drones in different flight altitude, speed and power,” he underscored.
