It is a three-dimensional radar capable of locating up to 300 targets simultaneously

Iran unveils new air defence system

photo_camera AFP/ ATTA KENARE - Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi speaks before parliament in the capital Tehran on August 25, 2021, to defend his choices for ministerial posts. - Parliament today approved almost all of the president's cabinet choices, allowing him to begin work in earnest on his government, following his election victory in June

In the midst of the chaos caused by the Taliban takeover of Kabul, the Iranians - who are keeping a close eye on all movements in the region - continue to focus their efforts on strengthening their defence. It was recently reported that the United States intends to make a new attempt to unblock the nuclear deal, and that it sees the rapprochement between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates as important to this end. In the meantime, Iran is keeping its back to the wall and presenting a breakthrough in its defensive forces, such as a new radar capable of simultaneously detecting 300 targets.

At a ceremony on Wednesday morning, Iran's Air Defence Commander Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi Fard revealed the existence of six military projects, but only two of them can be made public. The new device is called Alborz and is three-dimensional, enabling more accurate detection of targets. It has two aspects that make it unique, namely the ability to locate 300 targets at a time, and it can do so at a range that could extend up to 450 kilometres, even at lower altitude locations.

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The second product presented on Wednesday is called Borhan, an air defence command and control system to be used primarily at low altitudes. This tool processes data from electro-optical and radar systems and analyses the information to activate missile systems. Borhan is designed primarily for use in radar jamming and deception operations. General Sabahi Fard claimed that his country has been able to develop such advanced air defence equipment that it has the capability to monitor hostile activity even in enemy bases.

"Today, (Iran's) air defence has reached such a level of combat capabilities that it does not need help from other countries," Fard said at a presentation of its defence projects. And while some experts say Iran should rejuvenate its aircraft fleet, Iranian forces believe that "the concept of radar-evading aircraft does not make sense in Iran's air defence structure".

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It is important to note that Iran is developing its domestic defence industry in line with UN Security Council sanctions related to the purchase of weapons systems from other countries. In recent years, Tehran has made several technological leaps in the defence industry, producing domestic drones, missiles, fighter jets, military ships, and even, as they are now demonstrating, air defence systems of a quality far superior to anything previously known. Indeed, General Sabahi himself has warned that should his enemies make a reckless decision against Iran, they will face a major defeat.

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