Iran unveiled on Thursday its home-made version of the sophisticated Russian S-300 missile defense system, dubbed as Bavar (Belief) 373 with the capability to target ballistic missiles.
Bavar 373 was unveiled in a ceremony participated by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.
“Bavar 373 is the most important indigenized missile defense system whose design and manufacturing started a few years ago and can engage multiple targets in high altitudes,” General Hatami said, addressing the ceremony.
He added that the Iranian defense industry experts have gone through the reverse engineering phase and designed and manufactured the parts relying on domestic capacities.
The anti-air defense system can detect 60 targets, identify 13 targets and engage 6 targets.
The system is much more powerful than the Russian S-300 and some of its features could be compared with S-400
General Hatami had earlier said that the new defense shield will be delivered to the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Unit.
Also, President Rouhani hailed the Iranian defense industry experts for developing the powerful home-made defense system.
Meantime, on Wednesday night, Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Seyed Hojjatollah Qureishi had said that Bavar 373 enjoys the capability to intercept flying objects at the range of 300km and the altitude of 65km.
“It can also detect, trace and prioritize 100 targets simultaneously and intercept 6 targets instantly,” he added.
Iran designed and developed its own version of the S-300 missile shield, named Bavar 373, after the Russians shrugged off delivery of their advanced missile defense system to Iran on the pretext of the UN Security Council sanctions.
The Iranian version has superior features over the original Russian model as it enjoys increased mobility, agility and reduced launch-preparation time, according to FNA.
Iranian Commanders had earlier said that Bavar 373 is similar to its original Russian model and traces and intercepts high-altitude targets.
After the removal of sanctions, Russia delivered S-300 air defense systems to Iran under the existing contract.
