Iran’s Defense Ministry has begun manufacturing air defense laser cannons, a deputy minister
said.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, General Qassem Taqizadeh said Iran has obtained the
technical know-how to manufacture laser air defense cannons for bringing down hostile
quadcopters and small aircraft.
He said the weapon has passed laboratory tests and is now being manufactured in the assembly
line.
The deputy minister also pointed to the latest advances in the country’s missile industry,
saying the range and precision of ground-launched cruise missiles have been extended with a
new digital mapping system whose testing stages will be over in the near future.
Efforts are underway to manufacture all ground-to-ground ballistic missiles with pinpoint accuracy,
the general further said, adding that Iran is now among the world’s top five powers
in the missile industry.
In August, Iran unveiled plans to utilize advanced cannons using high-power laser beams
for annihilating stealth aircraft.
Military officials said the laser systems would be used to protect the country’s critical
and vital centers.
Back in March, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Rear Admiral Ali
Reza Tangsiri said the Navy has developed a weapon to beat the American anti-drone laser
weapon system.
In August 2018, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei urged efforts
to boost technologies for manufacturing military components and update training programs.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, also referred to Iran’s achievements in building laser
cannons for the air defense.
“We have obtained the technology of laser air defense systems to destroy drones and
quadcopters.”
“The research and experimental phase for this weapon has finished and it is now in
the production line,” he highlighted.
Elsewhere he went on to say that “concerning ground cruise missiles, efforts are underway
to enhance the range and precision of them using new digital mapping systems and with
God’s grace, the experimental stage of this project will soon be finished.”
Pointing to surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, the commander said “our main effort in this
area is to equip the missiles with pinpoint accuracy systems and the work is almost finished.”
“We use the state-of-the-art technologies in all these projects and we are among the
top five countries in the missiles section,” he added.
Iran’s defense sector has seen many great achievements made by Iranian engineers during
recent years.
Tehran has repeatedly announced that its military power is just aimed at defending the country
against threats and does not present any threat to others.
Iran Claims Development of Laser Cannon for Aerial Targets.
Iran claims it has produced and begun deploying a laser weapon capable of countering aerial
threats, including enemy drones.
Called the “Sateb,” the laser cannon can reportedly shoot down aerial targets using
powerful laser beams and is being utilized to protect “sensitive regions.”
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said that the weapon system is one of the country’s
most important military achievements.
Two decades ago, an Iranian electronics company announced that it had acquired the necessary
know-how to develop laser weapons.
It even claimed that its laser weapons could neutralize radar-evading composite drones.
“High speed is one of the advantages of using such systems; as long as energy exists,
shooting continues,” IRNA explained.
“Due to its complication and high technology, just a few countries like Iran could enter
the area of laser weapons.”
A Potential Addition to Arsenal.
If the reports are to be believed, the weapon would be a major addition to the country’s
military arsenal.
Last year, the Iranian Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that it had
acquired indigenous weapons and equipment such as precision-guided missiles and long-range
combat and reconnaissance drones.
It also introduced upgraded anti-tank missile systems and combat helicopters equipped with
Iranian-made Qaem-114 missiles.
The IRCG also unveiled two underground military bases housing high-powered missiles and unmanned
aerial systems earlier this year.
He noted that the new guns had already passed laboratory tests, and now they have already
been delivered to the conveyor production.
Taqizadeh also talked about expanding the range and accuracy of ground-based cruise
missiles with the help of a new digital mapping system, the testing of which will be completed
in the near future.
He also said that efforts are underway to develop ballistic earth-to-ground missiles,
adding that Iran is now one of the five leading world powers in the missile industry.