Mersad

This article is about Mersad Air Defense System. For Iran-Iraq War Opereation, see Operation Mersad.

Air defense system

Mersad

Mersad equipped with Shahin missiles

Type| Air defense system
Place of origin| Iran
Service history
In service| 2010–present
Used by| Iran
Syria
Maldives
Production history
Produced| Since 2010
Variants| Mersad, Mersad Phase I, Mersad Phase II (Under Development)
Specifications
Mass| Shalamche: 636 kg
length| Shalamche: 5,030 mm
Diameter| Shalamche: 356 mm

* * *

Main
armament

| 3× Shahin or Shlamche missiles
Engine| Solid propellant rocket engine

Operational
range

| Shahin: 45 km (30 miles)[1]

Shalamche: 40 km

Phase II: ~60 km (Planned)
Maximum speed | More than Mach 2.4, Shalamche: Mach 3

Guidance
system

| Semi-active radar homing

Mersad (Persian: مرصاد, meaning 'Ambush') is an Iranian low- to mid-range air defense system developed in 2010.[2] It fires Shahin (Falcon) missiles which are reverse-engineered, domestically upgraded versions of the American MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles. It uses a series of domestically produced radars and electronic devices.[3]

## Development

[edit]

In 2010, Iran announced that it had launched the production line of a new air defense system named Mersad, which incorporates Shahin missiles.[2][3][4] It was said that the system consisted of different target tracing and tracking radars, soft and hardware networks, launch pads for Shahin missiles and a command and control center. Iranian defense minister Ahmad Vahidi said the Mersad air defense system had superior capabilities and included more capabilities than its western rivals like the Hawk mid-range defense system. Vahidi reiterated that Mersad was resistant to electronic warfare and could be used as part of a network of radar and air defense systems[4] and was fully digital.[2] The Shahin missile is an improved reverse-engineered version of US-made MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missile sold to Iran before the 1979 revolution.[5]

Some months later, Iran announced that it had increased the range and altitude of the missile defense system.[6] Vahidi also noted that the new system can also engage more targets at the same time.[6]

In November 2010, Iranian air force colonel Faramarz Ruh Afza said that Mersad had a limited ability to intercept ballistic missiles.[7] That same day, the commander of Khatam al anbia base, Ahmad Miqani, said that Iran is working on the improving the Mersad with the second phase including double range and altitude.[8][9]

### Tests

[edit]

Iran tested the Mersad two days after Miqani's speech in an Air Defense Wargame called Defenders of the Skies of Velayat III. In this test, Iran shot down a UAV using its Mersad Air Defense System.[10]

Also on April 18, 2011, Iran tested two other Mersad missiles from a site in Semnan. Later it was announced that the missiles were not Shahin but a further upgraded one called Shalamche.[11][12] Iranian Defense minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that the speed is now about Mach 3 with an increase of about Mach 0.6 . He called the missile state of art because of its new electronics which made it highly resistance to Electronic warfare. He said that the range of this missile is about 40 km and it is going to be increased.[13]

On May 16, Iran tested the new missile again in an air defense war game in eastern Iran.[14]

According to Iranian officials, the most important factors of new Mersad Phase I system are increase in range and a new advanced algorithm for guiding the missile into its target.[15]

On September 4, Iran announced that Shalamche missile is now being delivered to Iranian Air Defense Force.[16]

On November 14, 2012, The Shalamcheh missile was fired from the Mersad air defense system at a Karrar (UCAV), which was destroyed, during the Defenders of the Skies of Velayat 4 drill.[citation needed]

In February 2017, a modified version of Mersad system was test fired during the Defenders of the Skies of Velayat in Semnan province alongside two other air defense systems. Based on reports new Mersad system can hit its targets in 35 miles away.[17][18]

This missile defense system was also tested at "Air Defense (Military) Exercise of Velayat-97" (with new missiles) in November 2018;[19] Mersad's newest version[20][21] was also tested at "military exercise of Velayat-98" in December 2019.[22][23]

## Radars

[edit]

Mersad uses four radars.[24][25] The PAR radar, called Kavosh, is an upgraded copy of the original AN/MPQ-50. The maximum range is increased to 150 km and an IFF system is added to the radar. A new CWAR called Jouiya is used to detect low altitude targets. The HPIR radar, called Hadi, is an upgraded version of AN/MPQ-46 with an additional EO system attached to it. There is also a new supplemental HPIR radar. All of the radars use solid state electronics to have more resistance to electronic warfare and can be linked to the other Mersad systems.[26]

The Hadi radar has equipped with an Electro-optical system in order to detecting and tracking of targets when the battlefield is affected by heavy jamming.[citation needed]

The Mersad system detection range is 150 km and it can lock on targets at a distance of 80 km.[27][28] It can also detect targets with RCS of about 0.5 square meters at a range of 110 km. In addition, Mersad can engage at least with two targets simultaneously.[1]

Iran has also developed a new phased array radar named Hafez for the Mersad system. Hafez is a 3D radar with 250 km range and ability of tracking 100 targets simultaneously.[29]

## Variants

[edit]

* Mersad: Basic variant. Uses the first generation of Shahin missiles.[citation needed]
* Mersad Phase I: Second variant. Tested in October 2010, this variant has a higher range and altitude. It is also capable of engaging more targets simultaneously.[6]
* Mersad Phase II: Third variant. has double the range and altitude as compared to the basic Mersad.[8][9]

## Operators

[edit]

* Iran
* Syria: In service with the Syrian Air Defense Force.[30][31]

## Comparable SAMs

[edit]

* MIM-23 Hawk

## See also

[edit]

* Bavar-373
* Raad Air Defense System
* Sayyad-2
* Ya Zahra air defense system

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "کمین گاه مدرن پدافند هوایی ایران + تصاویر". 22 November 2011.
2. ^ a b c "IRIBNews". Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2010-11-19.
3. ^ a b "FarsNewsAgency Menu". Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-11-19.
4. ^ a b "Fars News Agency :: Iran Builds Hi-Tech Air Defense Shield". Archived from the original on 2010-06-16. Retrieved 2010-11-19.
5. ^ Iran missile system tested, rhetoric sharpened on eve of NATO summit csmonitor.com
6. ^ a b c The new generation of "Mersad" missile system with increasing height and range farsnews.ir
7. ^ "توان‌سامانه مرصاد درمقابله با‌موشک بالستیک/ بومی ‌سازی یک سامانه موشکی" [The ability of the Mersad system to counter ballistic missiles/localization of a missile system] (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2010-11-14. Retrieved 2010-11-19.
8. ^ a b "FarsNewsAgency Menu". Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-11-19.
9. ^ a b Production of more advanced system than S300 in the country tabnak.ir
10. ^ Successful firing of a Mersad missile system at a drone farsnews.ir
11. ^ The Mersad air defense system and the Shahin missile were successfully tested gerdab.ir
12. ^ Shalamcheh and Zafar are the latest missile defense and cruise missiles of the army farsnews.ir
13. ^ Massive delivery of Shalamcheh missile to Khatam al-Anbia air defense base Archived 2012-04-25 at the Wayback Machine aja.ir
14. ^ "پایگاه اطلاع رسانی دولت - آزمایش عملیاتی سامانه پیشرفته پدافند هوایی مرصاد با موفقیت انجام شد". Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
15. ^ "مقاله : دو ويژگي مهم سامانه موشكي مرصاد: : مرکز اخبار و اطلاع رسانی : : نظامی و دفاعی". Archived from the original on 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
16. ^ Massive delivery of Shalamcheh missiles to Khatam base tabnak.ir
17. ^ Iran fires another missile from launch-pad us official says foxnews.com
18. ^ "Iran conducts yet another missile test". Israel National News. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
19. ^ A missile defense system called "Mersad" was unveiled yjc.ir
20. ^ Missile system of Mersad destroyed the attacker UAVs mehrnews.com
21. ^ Mersad (16) defapress.ir
22. ^ Destruction of the attacking drone by the "Mersad" missile system ana.ir
23. ^ The roar of the Mersad missile system and the destruction of the attacking drone yjc.ir
24. ^ Acquaintance with Mersad hamshahrionline.ir
25. ^ Missile system of Mersad magiran.com
26. ^ "تسلط ایرانی‌ها بر "یونوسفر" برای ساخت رادار کیهانی + عکس". مشرق نیوز (in Persian). 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
27. ^ Mass production of "Mersad" magiran.com
28. ^ Air Defense Exercises Around Nuclear Facilities bultannews.com
29. ^ "40 types of Iranian Radars". Mashregh News Agancy.[permanent dead link]
30. ^ Ahmad Salloum (27 September 2020). "Exclusive: Iran Begins Developing Air Defense Systems in Syria". iranwire.com. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
31. ^ Farzin Nadimi (24 July 2020). "Iran-Syria Air Defense Pact Could Disrupt Allied Operations". Washington institute for Near East policy. Retrieved 15 May 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Iran tests Improved-version of Mersad Air defense system (Video of Phase I launch)
* An interview with Colonel Faramarz Rooh Afza about Mersad Archived 2010-11-14 at the Wayback Machine
* A set of pictures of Mersad and Shahin[usurped]
* video of Semnan launch.

* v
* t
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Iranian missiles

Katyushas|

* Arash
* Falaq-1
* Falaq-2
* Fajr-1
* Fajr-2
* Fajr-3
* Fajr-4
* Fajr-5
* Oghab

Rocket artillery|

* Fajr-4
* Tondar-69
* Shahin-1
* Shahin-2
* Naze'at
* Zelzal-1
* Zelzal-2
* Zelzal-3
* Noor
* Haseb
* Badr-3

Short-range ballistic missiles|

* R-17E
* Shahab-1
* Shahab-2
* Qiam 1
* Fateh-110
* Fateh-313
* Ra'ad-500
* Zolfaghar
* Persian Gulf
* Fateh Mobin
* Hormuz-1
* Hormuz-2
* Fath 360

Medium-range ballistic missiles|

* Shahab-3
* Samen/Ghadr-101
* Ghadr-110
* Emad
* Khorramshahr (Kheibar)
* Fajr-3
* Dezful
* Shahid Haj Qasem
* Qassem Bassir
* Ashoura
* Sejjil
* Kheibar Shekan
* Fattah-1

Intermediate-range ballistic missiles|

* Shahab-5 (alleged)
* Shahab-6 (alleged)
* Project Koussar (alleged)

Surface-to-air missiles|

* Khordad 15
* Misagh-1
* Misagh-2
* Misagh-3
* Talash 3
* Sayyad-1
* Sayyad-2
* Shahab Thaqeb
* Herz-9
* Taer 2
* Mehrab
* Mersad
* Shahin (surface-to-air missile)
* Shalamche (missile)
* Bavar 373
* Raad
* Ya Zahra
* Tabas
* Sevom Khordad
* Kamin-2

Anti-helicopter missiles|

* Qa'em
* Ra'ad

Anti-tank missiles|

* Saegheh
* RAAD
* Toophan
* Tosan
* Dehlavieh
* Tondar
* Sadid-1

Anti-ship missiles|

* Zafar
* Ghadir
* Hormoz-1
* Hormoz-2
* Qader
* Noor
* Nasr-e Basir
* Kowsar
* Nasr-1
* Ra'ad
* Sadid-1
* Jask-2
* Abu Mahdi

Cruise missiles|

* Meshkat (Under development)
* Kh-55
* Paveh
* Hoveyzeh
* Soumar
* Ya Ali
* Ghassed-3
* Abu Mahdi

Torpedoes|

* Hoot
* Valfajr

Air-to-surface missiles|

* Shafaq
* Shahin 3
* Sattar
* Asre-67
* Bina
* Sadid-1
* Zoobin
* Fajr-4
* Ghassed-3

Air-to-air missiles|

* Fatter
* Sedjil
* Fakour-90

Anti-ship ballistic missiles|

* Khalij Fars
* Hormoz-1
* Hormoz-2
* Zulfiqar Basir

Radars|

* Ghamar
* Bashir
* Sepehr
* Ghadir
* Kavosh
* Hafez

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