Iran: Large-Scale Air Defense Drill Kicks Off

Brigadier General Ghader Rahimzadeh, commander of the country’s Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base announced the beginning of the operational phase of the joint large-scale drill in the country’s central desert areas.

According to the commander, the units of the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force, the IRGC Aerospace Division and the Army’s Air Force are taking part in the exercise, codenamed ‘Modafean-e Aseman-e Velayat 1400’ (The Defenders of Velayat Skies 1400).

The drill is aimed at boosting the combat preparedness, strengthening deterrent power, evaluating the homegrown air defense systems in countering various threats, full defense against electronic warfare and cyberattacks, improving knowledge and skill of the units and boosting coordination among the Army and the IRGC’s command and control centers, Rahimzadeh said.

He added that the participating units “employed combined, indigenous and creative tactics and techniques that were implemented in proportion to threats,” noting that the use of modern technology was among the leading features of this military drill.

Iran’s Air Defense holds annual war games in order to enhance capabilities to defend the country’s airspace.

In 2018, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei underlined the important role that Iran’s Air Defense plays in protecting the country, saying it is on the front line of countering enemies.