Air Defense Vehicles.
15th Khordad 15.

The Khordad 15, also called 15th Khordad, is a domestically produced Iranian medium-to-long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Iran's defense industry. It is designed to counter a variety of aerial threats, including stealth aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Developed by the Iranian Ministry of Defense, the Khordad 15 entered service with the Iranian Armed Forces in 2019 as part of Iran's broader strategy to strengthen its indigenous air defense capabilities.
Country users: Iran, Syria
Description
The Khordad 15 or 15th Khordad is an advanced road-mobile air defense system developed and produced by Iran, classified as a medium-to-long-range SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile) system. It is part of Iran's strategy to counter regional air superiority and protect critical infrastructure from aerial threats. Named after the Iranian calendar date commemorating key events of the 1979 revolution, the system was publicly unveiled in June 2019 by the Iranian military leadership.
The development of the Khordad 15 began during Iran’s push for self-reliance in defense technology following international sanctions. It leverages radar and missile technologies from earlier Iranian systems, such as the Sayyad-2 and Sayyad-3 missile families, while integrating advanced target detection and tracking capabilities. The system can engage targets like stealth aircraft, fighter jets, bombers, and UAVs.
The Khordad 15's principal mission is to defend Iranian airspace against high-value enemy targets, including low-observable aircraft and precision-guided munitions. Its ability to simultaneously engage multiple targets at medium-to-long ranges makes it a critical component of Iran's integrated air defense network.
Khordad 15 or 15th Khordad variants:
No variants at this time
Technical Data
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Armament
The Khordad 15 can be armed with Sayyad-2/3/3C surface-to-air missiles, which are vertically launched from its mobile launcher. These missiles are variants of earlier Iranian SAMs, derived from the American SM-1 naval missile and optimized for land-based operations. The system can launch up to 4 missiles simultaneously. The system features a rotating, rectangular launcher mounted on the vehicle's bed, equipped with four missile canisters arranged in two rows of two canisters each. However, it is designed to operate using only a single row of two canisters at a time.
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Missiles
The Khordad 15 can fire the Sayyad-3/3C surface-to-air (SAM) missiles as its primary weapon while also being able to fire the Sayyad-2 for shorter-range engagements.
The Sayyad-2 is an Iranian surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, designed to target aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. It features a radar-guided homing system, with a range of up to 120 kilometers and an altitude capability of around 27 kilometers. The missile is capable of intercepting high-speed targets and is deployed as part of Iran's air defense systems to enhance its national defense capabilities.
The Sayyad-3 is a highly capable medium-to-long-range missile, featuring advanced navigation and terminal guidance systems, including inertial navigation and active radar homing. It measures approximately 6.5 meters in length and has a diameter of 400 mm, with a total weight nearing 2,000 kg. The Sayyad-3 missile can engage aerial targets at a maximum range of 120 km and altitudes reaching up to 27–30 km, making it effective against high-flying aircraft and cruise missiles. The warhead is a high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) type, designed to produce maximum lethality against enemy aircraft, UAVs, and precision-guided munitions. It also includes countermeasures to resist electronic warfare and jamming systems.
The first production batch of Sayyad-3C SAMs, as seen in around 2019. This was the third generation of Sayyad-family. It was based on Iranian experiences from combat deployment of US-made RIM-66A Standard SAMs, and advanced Chinese know-how. Sayyad-3C was the main weapon of the Talash-3 SAM-system, and had a claimed engagement range of 120km. -
Mobility
The Khordad 15 system is mounted on a road-mobile, 6x6 heavy-duty tactical truck, offering enhanced mobility for quick redeployment. The truck platform is believed to be based on an Iranian-modified Mercedes-Benz or ZIL chassis, ensuring ruggedness and durability across varied terrains. The vehicle has an operational range of approximately 500 km and can achieve speeds of up to 70–80 km/h on paved roads. Its off-road capability enables the Khordad 15 to operate effectively in desert regions, mountainous areas, and other challenging environments, providing both strategic flexibility and survivability. The system's high mobility ensures that it can reposition rapidly to evade enemy strikes or reinforce other sections of the integrated air defense network.
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Command and Control Vehicles
The Khordad 15 system is supported by an integrated suite of command, control, and radar vehicles that enhance its operational efficiency. The system relies on the Najm 804 3D phased-array radar for early detection and tracking of multiple targets. This radar can detect and track stealth aircraft and other low-observable targets at ranges of up to 150 km. Once a target is identified, the fire control vehicle processes the data, prioritizes threats, and generates missile firing solutions for accurate engagements. The fire control vehicle’s real-time data processing allows the system to engage up to 6 targets simultaneously, while firing at 5 of them in rapid succession. Additionally, dedicated communication vehicles provide secure and resilient links to higher-echelon command centers and other air defense assets, ensuring the Khordad 15’s interoperability within Iran’s broader integrated air defense network.
Khordad 15 PESA Passive electronically scanned array radar -
Combat Use
The Khordad 15 air defense system is primarily deployed to defend Iran’s critical infrastructure and strategic military facilities against a range of aerial threats. It has been optimized with high accuracy to counter stealth aircraft, fighter jets, bombers, UAVs, helicopters, and cruise missiles. Depending on the missile variant, the system has a maximum engagement range of 120–150 km, and can intercept targets flying at altitudes of up to 27–30 km. This combination of long-range intercept capability and altitude coverage allows the Khordad 15 to defend against both high-flying reconnaissance aircraft and low-altitude UAVs or cruise missiles.
In operational terms, the Khordad 15 has been showcased during Iranian military exercises, where it reportedly demonstrated its ability to track and engage multiple aerial targets, including simulated stealth aircraft. Its integration of advanced radar systems enables it to detect even low-observable aircraft, providing a credible countermeasure to modern air power. Iranian officials have stated that the system has successfully intercepted UAVs and demonstrated a high degree of operational reliability. Given its mobility, the Khordad 15 can be rapidly repositioned to enhance air defense coverage or to evade enemy countermeasures, increasing its survivability during combat.
The Khordad 15’s combination of range, altitude coverage, and multi-target engagement capability makes it a critical asset in Iran’s layered air defense network, providing both defensive and deterrent capabilities against technologically advanced adversaries. The system plays a central role in Iran’s strategy to protect its airspace and project military resilience in the region by addressing a broad spectrum of airborne threats.
Specifications
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Type
Medium-to-long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.
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Country users
Iran, Syria
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Designer Country
Iran, developed by the Iranian Ministry of Defense.
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Armament
Four Sayyad-2 and Sayyad-3 surface-to-air missiles.
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Launcher Vehicle
6x6 heavy-duty tactical truck chassis, likely modified from Mercedes-Benz or ZIL platforms.
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Missile Weight
Approximately 2,000 kg per missile (Sayyad-3).
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Missile Range
120–150 km (Sayyad-3), up to 75 km for Sayyad-2.
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Targets
High precision, designed to intercept stealth aircraft, UAVs, and cruise missiles.
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Guidance Systems
Inertial navigation system (INS) for mid-course guidance, with terminal active radar homing.
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Dimensions Truck Launcher
Approximate Length: 10–12 m; Width: 2.5–3 m; height (including canisters): ~3.5–4 m.