Iran says more defensible with possession of S-300 missile system

Iran's air defense system is in possession of Russian S-300 missile system, Iran's Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan said on Tuesday.

"Today, we have been able to avail the air defense commandment of the country with S-300 missile system," Dehqan was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).

"We have also domestically designed the same (S-300) system, its performance and operation, and will launch the production line of it by the end of current Iranian calendar year (ending on March 20, 2016)," he said.

The Iranian version of the air defense system is named "Bavar 373" which is able to "engage with cruise (missiles), UVAs, and fighter jets," he added.

On April 17, Iran showcased parts of the imported Russian S-300 air defense system in the parade marking the army day in the country.

Iran needed a powerful army to defend its geographical frontiers, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said addressing the celebration.

"The powerful army inspired by religious and Islamic insights safeguards the interests of the country and defends the geographical, political and cultural borders of the country," Rouhani said.

Russia and Iran signed an 800-million-U.S. dollar contract in 2007, according to which Moscow would supply Tehran with five S-300 missile systems.

In September 2010, then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev canceled the contract in line with a UN Security Council resolution, which banned such deals with the Islamic Republic. Iran later sued Russia over the arms embargo.

In April 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban as Iran withdrew the lawsuit against Russia.

The original S-300 system, named SA-10 Grumble by NATO, was first deployed in the former Soviet Union in 1979 to defend the country against aircraft and cruise missiles.

Subsequent modernized versions were developed to intercept ballistic missiles, and the S-300 is currently regarded as one of the most potent air defense systems. Endit