Iran brings 'Mersad' missile on stream

Iran says its first domestically-built air defense system, which is said to be more powerful than the US-made Hawk missile, is ready to become operational.

Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Sunday that the anti-aircraft missile, dubbed Mersad (Ambush), features cutting-edge technology that makes it able to “destroy modern aircrafts at low and medium altitudes.”

Mersad is also equipped with sophisticated radar signal processing technology, an advanced launcher, and contains exclusive electronic equipment for guidance and target acquisition.

“The state-of-the-art technology used in Mersad links it to other anti-aircraft batteries and provides it with the unique ability to combat electronic warfare," he continued, adding that the dynamic system features capabilities that are superior than those in the US-made Hawk missile, which Iran purchased in the 1970s.

Vahidi announced that the country has begun mass-production of the medium-range missile and plans to deliver a sizeable number to the armed forces by the end of the year.

The production of Mersad, according to Vahidi, marks a technical breakthrough in Iran's defense capabilities and proves that the country's armed forces have achieved high levels of self-sufficiency.