(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Israeli military analysts have reported that Hezbollah armed group is currently operating advanced dual-mode guided missiles developed by Iran to counter the presence of Israeli military drones in the southern Lebanon.
The sophisticated Iranian dual-use guided missiles, previously a “mystery” to the West, were responsible for shooting down United States drones in Yemen. Now, they pose a significant threat to the Israeli military operating drones in southern Lebanon.
According to a report in the Israeli media, Haaretz, the military analysts stated that the advanced Iranian-developed missiles now utilized by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon are known as “Saqr 358.”
These missiles possess a combination of capabilities as a kamikaze drone and an anti-aircraft missile.
The dual-mode “Saqr 358” guided missile integrates the capabilities of a kamikaze drone and an anti-aircraft guided missile, primarily targeting drones operated by Iran’s adversaries in conflict zones in the Middle East.
Developed by Iran, these sophisticated missiles have proven effective in the hands of Iran’s proxy groups in various conflict zones in the Middle East, such as the Houthi rebels in Yemen, other armed groups in Iraq, and now Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Since 2020, Houthi armed groups have released videos showcasing the use of “Saqr 358” missiles as anti-aircraft weapons, successfully bringing down fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.
The versatility and effectiveness of Iran’s advanced dual-mode guided missiles, “Saqr 358,” have made it the weapon of choice for Iran’s proxy groups in the Middle East to counter enemy drones.
This capability enables them to disrupt and counter the surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of their adversaries, particularly those aligned with the United States.
The increased use of these advanced Iranian guided missiles has posed a significant challenge to Israeli military operations, especially for units reliant on drone usage.
By neutralizing unmanned Israeli platforms, Hezbollah and other pro-Iran armed groups diminish the Israeli military’s ability to observe and execute precision strikes or gather intelligence.
While there is limited information available regarding the technical specifications of these dual-mode guided missiles, the “Saqr 358” has an approximate length of 3 meters and a diameter of 152mm.
Its total weight is 50kg, powered by a small turbojet engine, and capable of flying distances ranging from 10km to 100km.
The missile utilizes a 10kg High Fragmentation explosive and does not require a sophisticated launch system, making it easily transportable from one location to another.
Reports also suggest that the allies, led by the United States, have successfully intercepted “Saqr 358” guided missiles from commercial ships transporting Iranian weapons to the Houthi group in Yemen. — DSA
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