TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran's radar systems can discover and trace any kind of flying object in two minutes, Deputy Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Colonel Mohammad Hossein Shamkhali underlined that


Shamkhali, who is the deputy commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base for Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad, said on Wednesday Iran has optimized its old radar systems and built several new radar and air defense systems.

"Keyhan (Space), which went on display during the Armed Forces' parades (on Monday), is the latest radar system built by Iranian experts has no foreign rival" as it is unique, he said.

"These systems identify all flying objects in two minutes and this is one of the top advantages of these systems," Shamkhali said.

Last month senior Iranian military officials said Iran enjoys such an integrated air defense system now that no enemy flying object can approach the country's border without being noticed."At present, every part of the Islamic Republic of Iran's airspace is connected to the integrated air defense network and the smallest movements cannot go unnoticed by the eagle eyes of the air defense base," Lieutenant Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard said.

He underlined the special importance of air defense in the country's defense system, and said, "Before the Islamic Revolution in Iran (1979) air defense was limited to protecting a number of Air Force bases and some important cities, but when the Iraqi-imposed war on Iran (1980-1988) started and the enemy launched comprehensive attacks on all the sensitive and vital centers of the country, Iran's air defense grew on a daily basis to the point that now air defense units have been deployed in more than 3600 sites."

In relevant remarks in April, General Sabahifard said the Iranian air defense force enjoys state-of-the-art detection and interception systems and is monitoring the country's skies 24 hours a day.

"The air defense force is monitoring the country's skies day and night with the help of various state-of-the-art and indigenized radar systems and its integrated watchtower system," he told reporters at the time.

General Sabahifard underlined that the air defense force should pursue its missions with high speed and precision. "Thus, this force is rapidly enhancing its capabilities through its cooperation with the industrial sector and the universities.

Also in August, Brigadier General Sabahifard underlined the preparedness of his forces to confront any possible enemy threats.

"We monitor the airspace of the country day and night and we will not allow anyone or anything to violate our country's airspace," he said.

Earlier, General Sabahifard's boss, General Farzad Esmayeeli, announced that Iran had mounted data gathering and transmission systems on the equipment used by watchmen in its air defense sites.

"The Rassed 32 system is among the good achievements of the (Khatam ol-Anbia) Air Defense Base in surveillance and reconnaissance fields which can send the data pertaining to the direction, altitude and speed of flying targets to the control centers from 15km away," Esmayeeli said.

"Using the achievement, the watchman sends data and information about the direction, speed and altitude of flying targets to the control centers through the system fixed in his helmet or optical systems," he added.

In November 2012, different systems with the capability of intercepting incoming cruise missiles as well as optimized and indigenized air defense missiles were tested in the massive aerial exercises code-named 'Modafe'an-e Aseman-e Velayat 4 (Defenders of Velayat Skies 4)'.

The advanced home-made Ya Zahra air defense missile system was among the systems tested in the wargames.

The air defense weapon is capable of identifying, intercepting and destroying aerial targets, including different types of aircraft, choppers and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

Ya Zahra is a mobile system and can be linked to the country's integrated air defense network and is capable of engaging and destroying several aerial targets simultaneously and also has a powerful fast reaction and full detection capabilities.

The Iranian officials have always stressed that the country's military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.

By Fars News Agency

 

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