Iran advances the development of its air defense systems with the new AD-120.

Iran's defense industry continues to develop locally made new air defense systems, such as the AD-120, which are able to intercept different types of aerial threats at a maximum range of 120 km and an altitude of up to 27 km. As regional security dynamics shift, Iran continues to prioritize the development of modern military technologies, and the AD-120 serves as a testament to the nation's growing focus on self-reliance in air defense systems.
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The AD-120 surface-to-air missile is launched during a test, showcasing its long-range interception capabilities against modern aerial threats, including aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters. (Picture source: Iranian defense industry)

The AD-120 is a high-range, high-altitude surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept a variety of airborne threats, including advanced tactical and strategic aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters. The system is capable of operating in all weather conditions and is equipped with advanced radar and missile technology to ensure precision targeting and interception of threats.

At the core of the AD-120 air defense system is a comprehensive array of components that enhance its operational effectiveness. The main component of the AD-120 air defense battery consists of up to three TELs (Transporter Erector Launchers), each equipped with four missile launcher containers. It also features a search radar, known as the AD-120 SR, which is designed for long-range target acquisition. This radar plays a crucial role in detecting incoming threats early, providing the system with the necessary data to engage hostile targets. In conjunction with the search radar, the tracker and illuminator radar (AD-120 TIR) operates using a mono-pulse system. This radar allows for precise target tracking and illumination, ensuring accurate missile guidance throughout the engagement process.

The AD-120 sjurface-to-air missile itself is designed for long-range and high-altitude engagements. It has a maximum range of 120 km and a minimum range of 7 km, allowing it to effectively engage targets from close and distant positions. The missile can reach a maximum altitude of 27 km, making it particularly effective against high-flying aircraft and drones. With a diameter of 400 mm, the missile is compact yet powerful, carrying a 90 kg warhead designed for both impact and proximity detonation. The total weight of the missile is 995 kg, ensuring it can deliver substantial firepower.

Regarding guidance, the AD-120 missile utilizes a combination of inertial navigation, updated via data link, along with semi-active and active radar homing capabilities. This sophisticated guidance system ensures that the missile can precisely track and intercept fast-moving, highly maneuverable aerial threats.

In summary, the AD-120 air defense missile system is a major achievement for Iran's defense sector, designed to meet the challenges of modern aerial warfare. Its combination of advanced radar technology, scalable missile launching systems, and powerful, precision-guided missiles makes it a formidable tool for defending against a wide range of aerial threats, enhancing Iran's ability to protect its airspace in the face of evolving regional threats.

Iran's air defense technology has evolved significantly over the past decades, largely driven by a combination of international embargoes, regional security threats, and a strategic focus on self-reliance in military capabilities. The isolation caused by sanctions, particularly since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s approach to defense. Unable to easily import advanced military equipment, Iran has increasingly turned to domestic development, creating a robust local defense industry that now designs and manufactures a wide range of air defense systems.

The AD-120 air defense battery features three key components: up to three TELs with four missile containers each, the AD-120 SR search radar for long-range target detection, and the AD-120 TIR radar for precise tracking and missile guidance. (Picture Iran defense industry)

Before the 1979 revolution, Iran heavily relied on Western, especially American-made, air defense systems. The Shah’s government had acquired a variety of advanced military hardware from the U.S. and European countries, including platforms like the U.S. HAWK MIM-23 air defense systems. However, after the revolution, arms embargoes were imposed on Iran, leading to a cessation of spare parts and technical support for these systems. This sudden cutoff compelled Iran to either cannibalize existing equipment to keep its systems operational or to reverse-engineer imported systems, laying the groundwork for domestic production.

The Iran-Iraq War further accelerated the development of indigenous military capabilities. Faced with a prolonged conflict and the continued pressure of embargoes, Iran began to actively reverse-engineer air defense technologies. This period saw the establishment of key military production facilities and research centers under the Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, tasked with developing homegrown solutions for Iran's defense needs.

Iranian engineers initially focused on modifying and upgrading existing foreign systems to extend their operational lifespan. For example, the American HAWK system was reverse-engineered, and Iran introduced an improved version, dubbed the "Mersad" system. This was a critical turning point, as it demonstrated that Iran could produce medium-range air defense systems with upgraded radar and missile technology. Additionally, Iran began producing its own versions of Soviet air defense missile systems, such as the SA-6 and SA-5, further expanding its capabilities.

Over time, Iran transitioned from reverse-engineering and upgrading older systems to developing completely indigenous platforms. One of the most notable achievements was developing the Bavar-373, a long-range surface-to-air missile system that was revealed in 2019. Widely considered Iran’s answer to the Russian S-300 air defense missile system, the Bavar-373 can engage multiple targets at long ranges, including advanced stealth aircraft and ballistic missiles. This system reflects Iran's significant technological advancements in radar, missile guidance, and target acquisition.

Iran has also focused on developing mobile air defense platforms that can be rapidly deployed and provide flexible battlefield coverage. Systems like the Khordad-3, which gained international attention in 2019 when it shot down an American RQ-4 Global Hawk drone, illustrate Iran’s ability to produce highly capable, indigenous air defense solutions. The Khordad-3 employs phased-array radar and domestically produced surface-to-air missiles, underscoring Iran's capacity to defend its airspace against both conventional and stealth threats.

Iran’s air defense development has been closely integrated with its ballistic missile program, partly as a deterrent to adversaries with superior air power. Given the asymmetry in air forces between Iran and regional powers like Israel and Saudi Arabia, or global powers such as the United States, Tehran has focused on developing both defensive and offensive capabilities. While air defense systems like the Bavar-373 are critical for protecting key military and civilian infrastructure, Iran's ballistic missile program provides an offensive deterrent, ensuring that adversaries cannot conduct airstrikes or other forms of aerial aggression without risking retaliation.

International embargoes, particularly those imposed by the United States and the UN Security Council, have shaped every facet of Iran’s military-industrial complex. Deprived of the global defense market, Iran has invested heavily in its domestic research and development (R&D) capabilities. Institutions such as the Defense Industries Organization (DIO) and the Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) have led the way in creating the necessary infrastructure for missile and radar technologies.

Iran's defense sector has also benefited from collaboration with non-Western nations such as China and Russia. Although the extent of this cooperation is often difficult to assess due to the clandestine nature of military projects, there is evidence that Iran has received technical assistance in areas like radar development, missile guidance, and electronic warfare. However, despite these collaborations, most of the technological advancements in Iran’s air defense capabilities over the past two decades have been driven by indigenous efforts.

Iran’s air defense technology is expected to evolve as the nation further refines its research and production capabilities. With systems like the AD-120, unveiled recently, Iran is showcasing its ability to produce highly mobile, effective air defense platforms capable of engaging a wide variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters. The AD-120 highlights Iran's growing expertise in missile technology, guidance systems, and radar integration, showcasing a level of sophistication previously dominated by advanced military powers.

In conclusion, the evolution of Iran’s air defense technology is a direct consequence of decades of sanctions and military isolation. While initially forced to rely on imported systems, Iran has, over time, transformed itself into a self-sufficient producer of advanced air defense systems. As regional tensions persist, Iran's growing expertise in this field will remain a crucial factor in its ability to protect its airspace and assert its influence in the region. The continuous development of systems like the AD-120 and Bavar-373 marks Iran as a key player in the Middle East's evolving defense landscape.