Image source: topwar.ru
The air defense forces of the Iranian army and the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) participated in joint exercises that began last Saturday
As the organizers put it, the exercises serve as a warning to the opponents of the Islamic Republic from any possible attack. The purpose of these exercises, according to representatives of the Iranian armed forces, was to assess the effectiveness and readiness of the air defense systems of the armed forces.
The Khatam al-Anbia Air defense base added that the exercises were conducted in cooperation with the integrated air defense network of Iran and took place at night in several regions of the country. The interaction of units to detect and defeat air targets at different altitudes was worked out.
Earlier, in October 2021, the air defense units of the Iranian Ground Forces and the IRGC took part in large-scale exercises Modafean Aseman Velayat 1400, in which air defense units participated using, as stated, only Iranian-made equipment.
In September 2018, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Revolution, called air defense a very important component of the armed forces. Ali Khamenei also stressed the importance of improving the capabilities of the bases, as well as the skills and competence of the personnel.
Representatives of the Iranian armed forces praised the country's significant progress in expanding its air defense network. They also stressed that the armed forces are fully equipped to protect Iran from any potential invasion.
The reports on the results of the exercises stated that the country's deterrence potential encourages opponents to be more circumspect in their actions, emphasizing that all their interests and equipment are within reach of Tehran's weapons.
In the press, representatives of the Iranian army said:
This statement was made after Tehran announced the successful testing of a new cruise missile, the range of hitting targets of which reaches 1.6 thousand km.
According to the Iranian authorities, who have repeatedly stressed the key point, Iran's military potential, especially its unmanned and missile capabilities, which are intended only for defense, will never be the subject of negotiations.
Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard, commander of the Iranian army's air defense forces, said in August that forces under his command could track the movements of enemy air targets within a radius of up to 3,000 km.
He warned the enemies that any violation of Iran's airspace would be met with a "harsh and destructive reaction," adding that the enemies could never have imagined that Iran's deterrent force with the support of the IRGC would reach such a level.
In turn, the West has stated that Iran is deepening military-technical cooperation with Russia, including in terms of building an air-missile defense system.