Iran optimizes S-200 air defense missile to be used against high and medium altitude targets 2909122.

"Following the current changes underway by our experts, S-200 will be able to hit mid-altitude threats in addition to high-altitude targets soon," Esmayeeli told FNA on Friday.

He underlined that the optimization of the S-200 anti-aircraft missile system makes the country needless of deploying other mid-altitude missile systems like Mersad and Raad in places possibly threatened by enemy aircrafts flying in mid altitude.

Esmayeeli added that this modified version of S-200 will soon have a new name too.

In similar remarks in July 2011, Esmayeeli had announced that the country's experts have been able to optimize the Russian-made S-200 anti-aircraft missile system so well that the Iranian version of the system has stunned Russian experts.

In November 2010, Iran successfully test-fired its sophisticated S-200 anti-aircraft missile systems.

Iran's S-200 system is a very long range, medium-to-high altitude surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to defend large areas from bomber attack or other strategic aircrafts. Each battalion has 6 single-rail missile launchers and fire control radar. It can be linked to other, longer-range radar systems.

Each missile is launched by 4 solid-fueled strap-on rocket boosters. Maximum range is between 200 and 350 km depending on the model. The missile uses radio illumination mid-course correction to fly towards the target with a terminal semi active radar homing phase.