Iran Conducts Large-Scale Military Exercises, Tests New Weaponry

Over the past three months, the Iranian army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have conducted a series of large-scale military exercises across Iran, the Sea of Oman, and the northern Indian Ocean, Al Jazeera reports.

These exercises, named Eqtedar, Zolfaqar, and Great Prophet, involved the showcasing and testing of new defensive and offensive weapons systems.

Iranian state television reported that the exercises aim to prepare the country for potential threats, including those related to its nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure.

The drills featured a range of Iranian-developed and upgraded military equipment, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, naval vessels, drones, and air defense systems. Among the weapons showcased were:

• Ballistic Missiles: Khorramshahr-4, Jahad, L360, Qadr, and Emad missiles, with varying ranges and payload capacities.
• Naval Vessels and Missiles: Missile-carrying speedboats, anti-ship mines, and the Qadr-380 anti-ship cruise missile.
• Air Defense Systems: The S-300, Bavar-373, 15-Khordad, Majid, Arman, Zoubin, and Tondar missile defense systems, as well as the 358 loitering surface-to-air missile.
• Drones: Variants of Ababil, Mohajer, and Homa reconnaissance and attack drones, as well as the Hadid-110 suicide drone and a scaled-down version of the Qaher-313 drone.

The exercises also included demonstrations of:

• Underground Military Bases: Three major underground IRGC military bases and a secret underground naval base along Iran’s southern coast.
• Naval Capabilities: Submarine operations, anti-submarine missile launches from helicopters, and the unveiling of the Heydar 110 speedboat.
• Drone Carrier: The IRGC’s first drone carrier, the IRIS Shahid Bagheri, equipped with a runway and hangars for various drone types.
• Air Defense Drills: Interception of enemy drones using fighter jets and the deployment of air defense systems to protect critical infrastructure, including nuclear sites, airports, refineries, and sea ports.
• Ground and Sea Drills: Attack and defense scenarios on different terrains, involving heavy armored vehicles, amphibious operations, and coastal defense exercises.
• Drone Swarm Operations: Drills involving the simultaneous launch of a large number of drones, including first-person view (FPV) drones.

Iranian officials stated that the exercises demonstrate the country’s commitment to defending its territory and interests, as well as its continued development of advanced military capabilities.