Iranian Air Defense Says Indigenous Systems Downed More Than 200 Enemy Aircraft

The commander of the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force, Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, says Iran’s domestically developed air defense systems shot down more than 200 enemy aircraft during the recent US-Israeli war. In a message marking Air Defense Day on Tuesday, Elhami said Iran has continued developing air defense systems tailored to its operational requirements, adding that some of the systems have no known foreign equivalents. He claimed that in certain cases, enemy forces were unable to determine which Iranian systems had engaged their aircraft. Elhami said the experience of the conflict demonstrated the importance of self-reliance in strengthening Iran’s air defense capabilities.

Army coordinating deputy commander Brigadier General Mohammad Sadeghian said Iranian air defense forces perform four principal missions: detection, identification, interception and engagement of aerial targets. He explained that the forces are tasked with detecting flying objects over Iran and, when necessary, beyond the country’s airspace. Following identification, targets can be intercepted by fighter aircraft or engaged using missiles and other air defense systems. He said the ultimate objective is to prevent hostile aircraft from accomplishing their missions and, when required, destroy them.

Sadeghian said Iranian air defense units are deployed at more than 3,800 locations nationwide, including areas that are difficult to access. The deployments cover a wide range of terrain, including deserts, coastal regions, islands and mountainous areas. He emphasized that the extensive geographic distribution of air defense units is intended to maintain surveillance and defensive coverage across Iran’s diverse territory.