Zolfaghar (missile)

Zolfaghar
Two Zolfaghar missiles mounted on a launcher
Zolfaghar
TypeSRBM[1]
Place of originIran
Service history
In service2017-present[1]
Production history
ManufacturerIRGC AF
VariantsZolfaqar Basir
Specifications
Length10.3 m[1]
Width0.68 m[1]
PropellantSingle-stage Solid-propelled[1]
Operational
range
700 km[1]
Guidance
system
INS, GPS[2]
Accuracy100 m CEP estimated[2]
References

The Zolfaghar (Persian: ذوالفقار) missile is an Iranian road-mobile,[2] single-stage, solid-propelled SRBM[1] named after Zulfiqar the sword of Ali ibn Abi Talib. It is believed to be derived from the Fateh-110 SRBM family[2] (possibly the Fateh-313 missile).[1] The Aerospace Industries Organization unveiled the weapon in 2016.[3] It entered service in 2017.[1] It was first used in the 2017 Deir ez-Zor missile strike and was therefore one of the first used mid-range missiles since 30 years.[4]

Design

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According to Iranian sources, the Zolfaghar missile has a length of 10.3m, a diameter of 0.68m, and a launch weight of 4615 kg with a warhead weighing 590 kg that is designed to separate in midcourse phase, making it more difficult to detect, track and intercept than unibody missiles like the 9K720 Iskander.[5] According to Iranian media sources, a reported naval variant was developed called the "Zolfaqar Basir", which the IRGC claims has a range of more than 700 km.[6]

History

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It was first unveiled during a military parade aboard a vehicle decorated with an anti-Zionist banner[2] on 25 September 2016[1] after which Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan claimed that the missile had a range of 700 km.[1][2] The Iranian Ministry of Defense would later on release a video of its testing.[1] On 17 June 2017 Iran launched six Zolfaghar missiles into Syria towards the Deir ez-Zor region on ISIS targets as a response to the attack in Tehran on 8 June 2017.[1]

In February 2019 Iran unveiled a new longer range version of the Zolfaghar missile called the Dezful missile with a range of 1000 km, this is an MRBM.[7]

On 7 March 2021, Yemeni Houthi attacked different locations in Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles and armed drones with a Zolfaghar ballistic missile along with several Samad-3 loitering munitions targeted the Aramco oil facilities at Ras Tanura.[8][9]

Operators

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Zolfaqar missiles on a Truck

State-operators

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Reported future operators

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  •  Russia – An intelligence assessment shared in October 2022 with Ukrainian and U.S. officials contended that Iran's armaments industry was preparing a first shipment of Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar missiles to Russia.[11] Western media reported the sale was confirmed by the Iranian side later in October.[10] Iran rejected the Western "media hype" over the delivery of Iranian missiles to Russia. The foreign minister said that "what they have said about the missiles is completely wrong."[12] As of April 2024 no missile sales have occurred.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Zolfaghar". Missile Threat. Archived from the original on 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Zolfaghar". Missile Defense Afvocacy Alliance. Archived from the original on 2020-03-30.
  3. ^ Staff. (25 September 2016). "Iran unveils Zulfaghar long-range ballistic missile". Mehr News Agency website Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Iran Fires at Militants in Syria in First Use of Mid-range Missiles in 30 Years". Haaretz. 18 June 2017. Archived from the original on 18 June 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  5. ^ Cordesman, Anthony H. (30 May 2019). "The Iranian Missile Threat". www.csis.org. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  6. ^ "Zulfiqar Basir naval ballistic missile with ability to hit distant targets". iranpress.com. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  7. ^ "Report: Iran Inaugurates Medium-Range Ballistic Missile". New York Times. Associated Press. 2019-02-07. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2019-02-09. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  8. ^ "World News | Latest Top Stories". Reuters.
  9. ^ "Ansarullah's missile and munitions launches flex Saudi responses".
  10. ^ a b Altman, Howard (18 October 2022). "Ukraine Situation Report: Iranian Officials Admit To Selling Russia Ballistic Missiles (Updated)". thedrive.com. The Drive. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  11. ^ "Iran plans to send missiles, drones to Russia for Ukraine war, officials say". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  12. ^ "Update: Iranian FM acknowledges sending drones to Russia before Ukraine conflict-Xinhua". english.news.cn. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
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