Iran launches Ya Zahra air defense system production line

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has inaugurated the production line of an indigenous short-range air defense system called Ya Zahra.

“This defense system has the capability of detecting, tracking and destroying short-range aerial targets such as aircraft, helicopters and drones,” Vahidi said on Sunday.

“Other features of the system include the capability of simultaneously engaging and destroying several targets, high operational speed and fully automatic tracking,” the Iranian defense minister added.

Vahidi added that the mobile missile system can be connected to the country’s defense network and deployed in any location.

Iran tested the Ya Zahra missile system during a massive seven-day maneuver, codenamed Modafe’an-e Aseman-e Velayat 4 (Defenders of the Velayat Skies 4), in November 2012.

Vahidi also pointed to the mass-production of the Mersad air defense system, saying, “Mersad surface-to-air missile system is an efficient and advanced medium-range air defense system which can carry out defense operations against various kinds of high-speed aircraft, helicopters, drone and cruise missiles.”

Vahidi said the system had managed to successfully destroy aerial targets in the Modafe’an-e Aseman-e Velayat 4 drills.

Over the past years, Iran has made important breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.

Tehran has repeatedly stated that its military might poses no threat to other countries, reiterating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.