The Iranian Armed Forces displayed and unveiled for the first time various types of missiles, equipment and air defense systems developed by the country’s experts, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.
Different units of the Islamic Republic Army, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Law Enforcement Police and Basij (volunteer) forces started nationwide parades in Tehran and other cities across the country on Sunday morning.
The parades mark the start of the Sacred Defense Week, commemorating Iranian sacrifices during the 8 years of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in 1980s, FNA added.
In Tehran, the ceremony took place at the mausoleum of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the Late Imam Khomeini, South of the capital.
Different units of Iran’s military forces marched in uniform before top Army and IRGC Commanders. The ceremony was attended by senior military and government officials, including Chief-of-Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri and President Hassan Rouhani, as well as foreign diplomats, military attachés and reporters.
During the parades in Tehran, the home-made version of the sophisticated Russian S-300 missile defense system, dubbed as Bavar (Belief) 373 with the capability to confront threats in high-altitude, distant areas, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones was displayed.
The Iranian Armed Forces also showcased the home-made state-of-the-art missile defense system named ‘Khordad 15’ (photo) which is equipped with passive phased array radar system for detecting fighter jets, stealth targets and cruise missiles.
The system can trace targets, including fighter jets and enemy drones, 150 km away and intercept them at a range of 120 km. It can also trace stealth targets in areas 85 km in distance, and destroy them at a distance of 45 km. It can also trace, engage, and destroy 6 targets simultaneously, enjoys high mobility and can be prepared for operation in less than 5 minutes.
Furthermore, the latest version of the warhead used in the long-range ballistic missile of Khordad 15 defense system was displayed in the parades. The missile can carry several warheads up to 1,800kg and has a range of 2,000 km.
Also, the IRGC Aerospace Force displayed 18 home-made ballistic missiles, including Qadr, Emad, Sejjil, Khorramshahr and Qiam during the parades.
In addition to the powerful missiles, the Iranian Armed Forces also unveiled a newly-developed home-made mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle for the first time in the nationwide parades.
A new artillery system named ‘Ha’el (Barrier)’ was for the first unveiled during the Sunday parades which is equipped with a passive radar system and can intercept the targets in a stealth mode. Ha’el is mobile and has been designed to confront low-altitude targets, including cruise missiles, aggressor drones or little flying objects.
Different surface and subsurface vessels, air force and naval units of the Army and the IRGC participated in the parades in the Persian Gulf.
The Iranian Army and the IRGC also held joint aerial parades in Hormozgan province on Sunday.
The joint parades were staged with participation of the Air Force’s F-4 and Mirage fighter jets and helicopters, the IRGC’s Sukhoi-22 fighters, the Navy’s Tucano, Yak 12 fighter jets and S.H. and 212 helicopters as well as the Navy’s various surface and subsurface units.
