Commander: Iran’s New Defense Shield in Final Tests

“The low-altitude defense system, Oqab (Eagle), is a short-range system with new capabilities and fully indigenized design. The system is in the final stages of testing,” General Elhami said on Monday.

He added that Oqab missile shield is an agile system with the capability of intercepting cruise missiles and all aerial threats in low altitude, noting that for the time being Oqab has been equipped to launch missiles to destroy the enemy targets but it will later be equipped with artillery fire too.

Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Qassem Taqizadeh first spoke of the missile defense shield on Saturday, saying Oqab counters hostile flying objects, including manned and unmanned aircraft and cruise missile, in low altitude.

Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that the US pressures have failed to force Tehran compromise and curb its defense and missile capabilities.

Iran last Thursday unveiled the home-made version of the sophisticated Russian S-300 missile defense system, dubbed as Bavar (Belief) 373 with the capability to target ballistic missiles.

Bavar 373 was unveiled in a ceremony participated by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami.

“Bavar 373 is the most important indigenized missile defense system whose design and manufacturing started a few years ago and can engage multiple targets in high altitudes,” General Hatami said, addressing the ceremony.

He added that the Iranian defense industry experts have gone through the reverse engineering phase and  designed and manufactured the parts relying on domestic capacities.

The anti-air defense system can detect 60 targets, identify 13 targets and engage 6 targets.

The system is much more powerful than the Russian S-300 and some of its features could be compared with S-400.