Boosting Military Power While Tensions Keep Rising
Iran’s armed forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have been staging massive military exercises for the past three months, unveiling new equipment and practicing advanced defense systems. The exercises, carried out along Iran, the Sea of Oman, and the northern Indian Ocean, come as the country is facing mounting threats from the United States and Israel.
With tensions high regarding Iran’s nuclear aspirations and ongoing regional hostilities, Tehran threatened further retaliatory strikes against Israel. The military exercises Eqtedar, Zolfaqar, and Great Prophet illustrate Iran’s resolve to build its defense capabilities despite Western sanctions.
Revealing ‘Missile Megacities’
Iran revealed three underground missile bases, signalling its preparedness for long-term war. The bases hold a number of ballistic missiles, including:-
Khorramshahr-4: A 2,000 km range missile fuelled by a liquid and equipped with a two-ton warhead.
Jahad: 1,000 km range and 650 kg warhead.
L360: Solid-fuelled missile with 180 km range and 150 kg warhead.
Qadr and Emad: 2,000 km range missiles.
In addition, Iran announced a secret naval base on its southern coast with hundreds of speedboats to carry missiles and an advanced anti-ship cruise missile, Qadr-380, with a range of over 1,000 km. The IRGC also announced it would introduce a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile with a 2,000 km range.
Aerial Defense and Combat Readiness
Iran has added to its air defenses with an upgraded Bavar-373 missile defense system with the capability of intercepting targets more than 300 km away. It was also showcased together with the S-300 system and new 358 surface-to-air missile with a range of 400 km.
Iranian air units also trained with Yak-130 and MiG-29 fighter aircraft, while military helicopters practiced defending the airspace. Authorities made preparations to manufacture 1,000 more helicopters, a significant number of which would be overhauls of existing designs.
Naval and Drone Advancements
Iran’s naval units demonstrated advanced naval warfare methods, utilizing Jamaran and Zagros warships and performing coastal defense trials. One of the new technologies revealed included the Heydar-110, an advanced catamaran speedboat equipped with cruise missiles, said to be the world’s fastest at 110 knots.
Iran also ordered its first drone carrier, the IRIS Shahid Bagheri, which is fitted with reconnaissance and attack drones, as well as helicopters. Furthermore, 1,000 new drones were handed over to the armed forces, including the Shahed-series, which Western governments allege Iran had supplied to Russia.
Securing Nuclear and Critical Infrastructure
Regardless of the rising threats to its nuclear sites, Iran conducted defense maneuvers on key sites such as Natanz, Fordow, and Khondab. Under the exercises, conditions were simulated under attack with bunker-buster bombs, which are typically employed by the US and Israel.
Iran’s persistent weaponization while international tensions continue is a proof that Tehran intends to eliminate any outside threat and maintain its position as a planner in the region.