Iran boosts missile defence capability with indigenous surveillance systems

Iran yesterday unveiled four indigenously developed air surveillance systems that complement its Russian-made missile defence network.

The unveiling of the new systems came a day after Tehran announced that the S300 missile-defence system supplied by Russia last year had been “fully integrated” into its air defence network.

The new air surveillance systems increase Iran’s monitoring and data analysis capabilities, and allow it to track objects from drones, the Tasnim news agency reported, while the S300 system, considered one of the most advanced in the world, provides long-range protection against aircraft and missiles.

Russia delivered the S300 system to Iran in July last year although their sale was agreed in 2007. Delivery was delayed because of sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear programme that were scrapped after Tehran’s deal with major world powers in 2015.

The boost to Iran’s aerial defences comes amid increasing concern about the threat to the region from its missile development programme. Iran launched missiles at another country for the first time in 30 years in June when it struck targets in ISIL-held territory in eastern Syria.

This month Iranian legislators approved an increase in its missile development budget to more than US$250 million (Dh918m), in defiance of US sanctions imposed days earlier over the programme.