Iran to Unveil New Missile Defense Shield in April

(FNA)- Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli announced Iran's plans to unveil a new home-made missile defense system, named 'Talash (Endeavor) 3', in mid April.

"Talash 3 defense system will be unveiled on April 18 on the occasion of the Army Day (in Iran)," Esmayeeli said Saturday.

Noting that the defense system has been fully manufactured by Iranian experts, he said, "The capability and might of the Armed Forces, specially Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base, will be displayed to the enemies again and we will once again see tumult among the ill-wishers."

Esmayeeli stressed that Iran has the safest airspace in the Middle-East, and added that at present 3,600 spots are under the control and monitoring of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base in the country, while the number will soon increase to 5,000 spots.

In relevant remarks in September, Esmayeeli announced that Iran would unveil and launch several new hi-tech radar and air defense systems with various capabilities, including trace and identification of small flying objects, this year.

"Arash 2 radar system with the capability of discovering small flying objects which is based on the world's state-of-the-art technology is one of the latest achievements" of Iran's air defense, Esmayeeli said in a press conference on the occasion of the Air Defense Day in Iran.

He described indigenization of systems and equipment as a priority for Iran's defense system, and said, "Since last year, 4 systems have become fully operational, which will be unveiled and added to the air defense cycle soon." "One of these systems is a long-range space radar with combined frequencies and the capability of discovering small flying objects and cruise missiles."

Esmayeeli also elaborated on the new defense systems built by the country's specialists, and said, "All Talash 1, 2 and 3 missile systems which enjoy the capability of engagement have been tested and will join the integrated (missile defense) network soon."

Iran in November unveiled and successfully tested Sepehr radar system with the capability of detecting satellite and space objects' trajectories.

"The Sepehr radar system covers a range of over 2,500 kilometers and can detect stealth targets and micro UAVs at low, medium and high altitudes while it can also very easily identify and detect ballistic, semi-ballistic and cruise missiles," Lieutenant Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Shahrokh Shahram said addressing the unveiling ceremony.

The commander underlined that Sepehr could successfully pass all tests.

At the same time, the radar went under a last test of operation and assessment, and General Shahram said the results were successful and "the information gathered by the radar during its last assessment test today was for the first time fed into the country's integrated radar and air defense network".

The General said Sepehr provides the air defense units to identify hostile targets far from the country's borders, leaving them with more time for decision-making and reaction.