(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In a time when the entire Middle East region is on the brink of conflict, the Iranian Army has unveiled the long-range anti-armor guided missile “Shafaq,” capable of accurately targeting armored vehicles and tanks from a distance of up to 20km.
The precision-guided missile was revealed during a ceremony attended by Iranian Army Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi and other senior officers in Tehran recently.
Designed and developed by Iranian weapon experts, the “Shafaq” anti-armor guided missile demonstrates high precision in targeting up to a range of 20km.
The missile, equipped with fire-and-forget technology, upgraded explosive components, and a sister infrared search and track system, can be deployed on various types of helicopters belonging to the Iranian Army’s Air Force.
The anti-armor guided missile is adaptable for a range of tactical and strategic operations and can operate in all weather conditions, including nighttime engagements.
Additionally, the Iranian Army also showcased various other weapon systems, such as the night vision device “Yousef,” combat simulation systems, airborne protection systems, multiple air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM), and unmanned aerial vehicle systems.
In a video shared on social media X (formerly known as Twitter), an Iranian AH-1J Cobra armed helicopter is featured, equipped with two pylons, each carrying three “Shafaq” anti-armor guided missiles.
The AH-1J Cobra helicopter used by Iran is a variant of the Cobra helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter for the United States Marine Corps.
Iran acquired several of these armed helicopters from the United States before the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Following the Islamic Revolution, Iran took on the task of maintaining and enhancing the capabilities of these helicopters domestically, utilizing the expertise of Iranian Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (IAMI). It is believed that Iran still operates up to 80 of these Cobra helicopters. – DSA
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