Iran Unveils New Missile System
By RFE RL
(RFE/RL) — Iran said it has successfully tested a new air-defense system during large-scale military exercises in the country’s east.
Iranian media said the new system, said to be modeled after the U.S. Hawk system, was unveiled on the second day of the drill, which began on November 10.
Officials have described the drill as “massive” and said it is aimed at sending a warning to those threatening the Islamic republic.
State TV broadcast footage that purportedly shows a Hawk missile being launched and hitting a mock aircraft.
The new surface-to-air system is named “Mersad,” or “Ambush.”
State TV said it is capable of striking a flying target from 45 kilometers away.
The claims could not be independently verified.
