Iran mass-produces “Hafez” radar system

Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 19
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:

Iran launched production lines for three radar systems including “Hafez” in the southern city of Shiraz, the country’s official IRNA news agency reported Oct. 19.

The production lines were inaugurated at a ceremony attended by Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami and Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili, commander of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base.

The advanced phased array, 3-dimensional Hafez radar is being used in “Mersad” air defense system, Hatami said, adding the medium range radar system is able to discover various air targets including fighters, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles in low and medium altitude.

He underlined that the Hafez radar system is capable of simultaneously monitoring 100 targets within the range of 250 kilometers.

Iran developed its advanced low to mid range Mersad air defense system in 2010. It fires Shahin (Falcon) missiles which are reverse engineered, domestically upgraded versions of the American MIM-23 Hawk Surface-to-air missiles.

The Mersad air defense system uses a series of domestically produced radars and electronic devices.

Iranian media outlets report that Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems in recent years.

Since 1992, Iran has manufactured its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, radars, boats, submarines and fighter planes. Iran also unveiled its first domestically-manufactured long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in 2010.

Follow us on Twitter @TRENDNewsAgency