Zolfaghar (missile) explained
Zolfaghar |
Type: | SRBM[1] |
Origin: | Iran |
Is Missile: | yes |
Service: | 2017-present |
Manufacturer: | IRGC AF |
Unit Cost: | $160.000 |
Variants: | Zolfaqar Basir |
Length: | 10.3 m |
Width: | 0.68 m |
Payload Capacity: | 500+ kg High Explosive, submunitions |
Vehicle Range: | 700 km |
Guidance: | INS, GPS[2] |
Propellant: | Single-stage Solid-propelled |
Accuracy: | 100 m CEP estimated |
Ref: | |
The Zolfaghar (Persian: ذوالفقار) missile is an Iranian road-mobile,[2] single-stage, solid-propelled SRBM[1] named after Zulfiqar the sword of Ali ibn Abi Talib. It is believed to be derived from the Fateh-110 SRBM family[2] (possibly the Fateh-313 missile).[1] The Aerospace Industries Organization unveiled the weapon in 2016.[3] It entered service in 2017.[1] It was first used in the 2017 Deir ez-Zor missile strike and was therefore one of the first used mid-range missiles since 30 years.[4]
Design
According to Iranian sources, the Zolfaghar missile has a length of 10.3m, a diameter of 0.68m, and a launch weight of 4615kg with a warhead weighing 590kg that is designed to separate in midcourse phase, making it more difficult to detect, track and intercept than unibody missiles like the 9K720 Iskander.[5] According to Iranian media sources, a reported naval variant was developed called the "Zolfaqar Basir", which the IRGC claims has a range of more than 700 km.[6]
History
It was first unveiled during a military parade aboard a vehicle decorated with an anti-Zionist banner[2] on 25 September 2016[1] after which Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan claimed that the missile had a range of 700 km.[1] [2] The Iranian Ministry of Defense would later on release a video of its testing.[1] On 17 June 2017 Iran launched six Zolfaghar missiles into Syria towards the Deir ez-Zor region on ISIS targets as a response to the attack in Tehran on 8 June 2017.[1]
In February 2019 Iran unveiled a new longer range version of the Zolfaghar missile called the Dezful missile with a range of 1000 km, this is an MRBM.[7]
On 7 March 2021, Yemeni Houthi attacked different locations in Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles and armed drones with a Zolfaghar ballistic missile along with several Samad-3 loitering munitions targeted the Aramco oil facilities at Ras Tanura.[8] [9]
Operators
Reported future operators
- – An intelligence assessment shared in October 2022 with Ukrainian and U.S. officials contended that Iran’s armaments industry was preparing a first shipment of Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar missiles to Russia.[10] Western media reported the sale was confirmed by the Iranian side later in October.[11] Iran rejected the Western "media hype" over the delivery of Iranian missiles to Russia. The foreign minister said that "what they have said about the missiles is completely wrong."[12] As of April 2024 no missile sales have occurred.
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Zolfaghar. Missile Threat. 2017-06-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20200218065810/https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/zolfaghar/. 2020-02-18.
- Web site: Zolfaghar. Missile Defense Afvocacy Alliance. https://web.archive.org/web/20200330071259/https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/iran/zolfaghar/. 2020-03-30.
- Staff. (25 September 2016). "Iran unveils Zulfaghar long-range ballistic missile". Mehr News Agency website Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- Web site: Iran Fires at Militants in Syria in First Use of Mid-range Missiles in 30 Years. Haaretz. 18 June 2017. 18 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170618203414/http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iran/1.796422. 18 June 2017. live.
- The Iranian Missile Threat . 2022-10-20 . www.csis.org . 30 May 2019 . en . Cordesman . Anthony H. .
- Web site: Zulfiqar Basir naval ballistic missile with ability to hit distant targets . 2024-05-12 . iranpress.com . en.
- News: Report: Iran Inaugurates Medium-Range Ballistic Missile. Associated Press. 2019-02-07. New York Times. 2019-02-08. en-US. 0362-4331. https://web.archive.org/web/20190209130328/https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2019/02/07/world/middleeast/ap-ml-iran-missile.html. 2019-02-09.
- Web site: World News | Latest Top Stories. Reuters.
- Web site: Ansarullah's missile and munitions launches flex Saudi responses.
- News: Iran plans to send missiles, drones to Russia for Ukraine war, officials say . en-US . Washington Post . 2022-10-16 . 0190-8286.
- Web site: Altman . Howard . Ukraine Situation Report: Iranian Officials Admit To Selling Russia Ballistic Missiles (Updated) . thedrive.com . 18 October 2022 . The Drive . 19 October 2022.
- Web site: Update: Iranian FM acknowledges sending drones to Russia before Ukraine conflict-Xinhua . 2022-11-12 . english.news.cn.