Iran’s armed forces are among the most formidable in the Middle East, structured across multiple branches including the Islamic Republic of Iran Army (Artesh), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Basij Resistance Force. Despite international sanctions, Iran has made substantial investments in indigenous military technologies and has sought military self-sufficiency over the past few decades. This article delves into the military equipment and capabilities of Iran’s armed forces, with special emphasis on Iran’s rapidly evolving drone technology, in addition to other key assets in its land, air, sea, and missile forces.
1. The Iranian Army (Artesh)
The Iranian Army is responsible for defending the country’s land borders and critical infrastructure. It is divided into various branches, including ground forces, air defense, and aviation units.
a. Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and Armored Vehicles
- T-72S: Iran has imported a large number of T-72 tanks from Russia and has built several under license. These serve as the backbone armored units of the ground forces.
- Zulfiqar MBT: An indigenous Iranian tank, developed based on the U.S. M60 Patton and Russian T-72 designs. The Zulfiqar tank features a 125mm smoothbore gun and improvements in firepower and armor protection.
- Karrar MBT: A newer Iranian tank claimed to rival Russia’s T-90, featuring advanced fire control systems, explosive reactive armor (ERA), and enhanced mobility.
b. Artillery Systems
- D-30 Howitzer: A Soviet-designed, towed 122mm howitzer widely used by Iranian forces.
- HM 41: An Iranian variant of the American M114 155mm towed howitzer.
- Multiple Rocket Launchers: Systems like the Fajr-5 rocket launcher, which has a range of 75 km, give Iran the ability to provide large-volume firepower in combat.
c. Infantry Equipment
- G3 Rifle: Iran’s primary assault rifle, based on the German-designed Heckler & Koch G3.
- Dragunov SVD Sniper Rifle: Standard sniper rifle used by infantry units.
- Toophan ATGM: Iran’s reverse-engineered variant of the U.S.-made BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile, offering effective anti-armor capabilities.
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2. Iranian Air Force and IRGC Aerospace Force
Iran’s air power is divided between the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) and the IRGC Aerospace Force, both tasked with defense and strike missions. Despite an aging fleet, Iran has enhanced its air defense and missile capabilities.
a. Combat Aircraft
- F-14 Tomcat: One of the most advanced aircraft in Iran’s arsenal, acquired from the U.S. before the 1979 revolution. These aircraft remain in service thanks to extensive Iranian maintenance and upgrade programs.
- MiG-29: A multirole fighter jet capable of engaging both air and ground targets. Iran has acquired several MiG-29s from Russia.
- Su-24 and Su-25: Soviet-era aircraft still operational in Iran’s air force, used for ground attack missions.
b. Air Defense Systems
- S-300 PMU-2: Acquired from Russia, this advanced air defense system is capable of engaging aircraft, UAVs, and ballistic missiles up to 200 km away. It significantly boosts Iran’s air defense coverage.
- Bavar-373: Iran’s indigenously developed long-range surface-to-air missile system, designed to engage a wide range of airborne targets, comparable to the Russian S-300.
- Sayyad Missile Systems: A family of indigenous surface-to-air missiles used in various air defense roles, including the Sayyad-2 and Sayyad-3, with ranges up to 120 km.
c. Drone Technology and UAVs
Iran has made significant progress in drone technology, becoming a regional leader in UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) development. Iran’s drone fleet includes reconnaissance UAVs, combat drones (UCAVs), and loitering munitions (kamikaze drones). These drones have been actively deployed for surveillance and attack missions, both domestically and in regional conflicts.
Key Iranian Drones:
- Shahed-129: Comparable to the U.S. MQ-1 Predator, the Shahed-129 is a long-endurance, medium-altitude UAV that serves both reconnaissance and strike roles. It is capable of carrying precision-guided bombs and missiles.
- Mohajer Series: One of Iran’s most widely deployed drone families, used for both intelligence-gathering and combat operations. The Mohajer-6 variant can carry guided missiles and has been used in domestic military operations and by Iranian allies like Hezbollah.
- Ababil Series: Another significant family of Iranian UAVs, including Ababil-3 (reconnaissance) and Ababil-2 (kamikaze). These drones are used for both surveillance and precision-strike missions.
- Karrar UCAV: A jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle that can carry various types of bombs and missiles, including air-to-ground missiles. Its design allows it to perform high-speed, long-range strikes.
- Shahed-136 (Kamikaze Drone): Known as a loitering munition, the Shahed-136 is used for precision-guided attacks on high-value targets, often compared to cruise missiles due to its destructive capability and ability to evade detection.
Drone Capabilities:
Iran’s drones have been instrumental in expanding the country’s surveillance reach and strike capabilities in regional conflicts. Iranian UAVs have been reported in operations in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and have been supplied to proxy forces like Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and militia groups in Iraq. These drones provide Iran with a relatively low-cost, effective platform to project power beyond its borders.
3. Iranian Navy and IRGC Naval Forces
The Iranian navy is structured into two branches: the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN), which focuses on blue-water operations, and the IRGC Navy, which specializes in asymmetrical warfare in the Persian Gulf.
a. Surface Vessels
- Alvand-Class Frigates: British-built frigates that have been modernized with surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes.
- Moudge-Class Frigates: Indigenous Iranian frigates, armed with anti-ship cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and torpedoes.
- Sina-Class Missile Boats: Fast attack craft equipped with Noor anti-ship missiles, designed for quick strikes against larger vessels in the Persian Gulf.
b. Submarines
- Kilo-Class Submarines: Iran operates three Russian-built Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines, capable of anti-ship and anti-submarine operations.
- Fateh-Class Submarines: Iran’s indigenous submarine program has produced smaller diesel-electric submarines suitable for coastal defense and reconnaissance missions.
- Ghadir-Class Submarines: Midget submarines designed for shallow water operations in the Persian Gulf, armed with torpedoes and mines.
c. Anti-Ship Missiles and Naval Mines
- Noor and Qader Missiles: Iranian-made anti-ship cruise missiles based on Chinese designs, capable of hitting naval targets up to 300 km away.
- Naval Mines: Iran extensively uses naval mines, which are strategically deployed to disrupt shipping lanes in critical waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.
4. Iranian Ballistic Missile and Rocket Capabilities
Iran’s ballistic missile program is among the most advanced in the Middle East, giving it a significant deterrent and strike capability.
a. Short and Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs and MRBMs)
- Shahab-3: A medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with a range of 1,300-2,000 km, capable of striking targets across the Middle East.
- Qiam-1: An SRBM with a range of 800 km, capable of carrying conventional and potentially nuclear payloads.
- Fateh-110: A short-range ballistic missile with a range of 300-500 km, offering precision-guided targeting for regional strikes.
b. Cruise Missiles
- Soumar: An indigenous long-range land-attack cruise missile with a range of up to 2,500 km, based on the Soviet Kh-55 missile.
- Hoveyzeh: A long-range cruise missile with a range of over 1,350 km, used for precision strikes on strategic targets.
5. Asymmetric Warfare and Regional Influence
Iran’s strategic doctrine heavily incorporates asymmetric warfare through the IRGC Quds Force and proxy forces across the region.
- Proxy Warfare: Iran supports non-state actors such as Hezbollah, Houthi rebels, and militias in Iraq and Syria, using them to project power without direct confrontation.
- Missile and Drone Transfers: Iran provides its proxies with drones, missiles, and other sophisticated weapons, bolstering their capabilities and creating regional challenges for adversaries.
Conclusion
Iran’s military capabilities have grown substantially over the last few decades, despite international sanctions and economic constraints. Iran has developed a wide range of indigenous military technologies, especially in drone technology, making it a leader in the region. Iranian UAVs have been a cornerstone of its military operations in the Middle East, offering advanced surveillance and strike capabilities. Combined with a strong ballistic missile program, naval assets, and asymmetric warfare strategies, Iran has positioned itself as a formidable military power capable of influencing regional dynamics and projecting power beyond its borders.
