Iranian Air Defense Systems

[PeeD]

Time to compare the new PLA radars of the 70. anniversary parade with what Iran is doing.

Two primary mobile early warning radars were shown by the Chinese.

1: This S-band AESA.

2: This UFH- or upper VHF-band AESA.

Both systems are mobile with the UHF-band AESA having even off-road capabilities. Chinese selected S- and lower UHF- band for their early warning combo and Iran S- and VHF-band.

Irans closest equivalent to the S-band AESA is the Najm-802.
The closest equivalent to the UHF-band AESA is Irans to be officially unveiled Nebo variant, a VHF-band AESA.

The Chinese have the financial resources to produce high power TRMs for a long range S-band AESA. That's not the case for Iran yet and the Najm series is used up to the necessary ranges for the SAM systems it is used with. This new Chinese radar has at least 50% larger aperture dimensions than the Najm-802 of similar layout. Together with expensive high power GaA TRMs, it can be used as a long range, 500-600km early warning radar that can perform continuous sector scan in support of SAM system guidance.
Iran still goes for more cost effective PESA/AESA hybrid technology for such very long range applications, with the Bavar-373's acquisition radar probably being the first exception.

On the UHF- VHF- AESA side however Iran is about to reach the same level as the new PLA system. Aperture-size-wise, TRM power-level wise, in both categories, yet to come Irans Nebo variant offers equivalent capabilities to this latest PLA asset.

The S-band AESA identified PLA system could also be a Gamma-D-like L-band AESA and the UHF-band AESA and upper VHF band AESA.

Anyway, we see that Iran is catching up to Chinese level in airdefense, both taking similar paths, like return to hot launch method for economy (HQ-22/Bavar-373) and Tor-based SHORADs (FM-2000/Oghab).

This would have been unthinkable just a decade ago.
Iran can't and won't go the Chinese "equivalent for everything" path the Chinese go but similar decisions on some paths are a good sign.

 

[raptor22]

Time to compare the new PLA radars of the 70. anniversary parade with what Iran is doing.

Two primary mobile early warning radars were shown by the Chinese.

1: This S-band AESA.

2: This UFH- or upper VHF-band AESA.

Both systems are mobile with the UHF-band AESA having even off-road capabilities. Chinese selected S- and lower UHF- band for their early warning combo and Iran S- and VHF-band.

Irans closest equivalent to the S-band AESA is the Najm-802.
The closest equivalent to the UHF-band AESA is Irans to be officially unveiled Nebo variant, a VHF-band AESA.

The Chinese have the financial resources to produce high power TRMs for a long range S-band AESA. That's not the case for Iran yet and the Najm series is used up to the necessary ranges for the SAM systems it is used with. This new Chinese radar has at least 50% larger aperture dimensions than the Najm-802 of similar layout. Together with expensive high power GaA TRMs, it can be used as a long range, 500-600km early warning radar that can perform continuous sector scan in support of SAM system guidance.
Iran still goes for more cost effective PESA/AESA hybrid technology for such very long range applications, with the Bavar-373's acquisition radar probably being the first exception.

On the UHF- VHF- AESA side however Iran is about to reach the same level as the new PLA system. Aperture-size-wise, TRM power-level wise, in both categories, yet to come Irans Nebo variant offers equivalent capabilities to this latest PLA asset.

The S-band AESA identified PLA system could also be a Gamma-D-like L-band AESA and the UHF-band AESA and upper VHF band AESA.

Anyway, we see that Iran is catching up to Chinese level in airdefense, both taking similar paths, like return to hot launch method for economy (HQ-22/Bavar-373) and Tor-based SHORADs (FM-2000/Oghab).

This would have been unthinkable just a decade ago.
Iran can't and won't go the Chinese "equivalent for everything" path the Chinese go but similar decisions on some paths are a good sign.

What happened to Iran 140 AWACS? as an early warning?

 

[PeeD]

A concept that didn't receive a go forward.

Basically you need air superiority to defend you AEW or tanker assets, otherwise they don't make much sense. Already now Irans F-14 are a huge threat to U.S AWACS an tankers and U.S airpower HEAVILY relies on both for their air campaigns.
So if you can't protect your vulnerable support assets very well like the case with Iran, you search for alternatives.

Furthermore we are entering the age of point strike BM proliferation and the U.S has cruise missiles since long time. These assets put the runways and airbases at risk.

Iran is reaching the technological level where it can create defensive alternatives to AEW aircraft and their strength of detecting terrain masking assets. I won't detail it.

So if your goal is not creating conventional offensive airpower, it's a wise decision to skip the AEW solution for more survivable and even economic ones. Iran is working on a very special solution to counter terrain-masking assets in a economical way.

 

[mohsen]

Time to compare the new PLA radars of the 70. anniversary parade with what Iran is doing.

Two primary mobile early warning radars were shown by the Chinese.

1: This S-band AESA.

2: This UFH- or upper VHF-band AESA.

Both systems are mobile with the UHF-band AESA having even off-road capabilities. Chinese selected S- and lower UHF- band for their early warning combo and Iran S- and VHF-band.

Irans closest equivalent to the S-band AESA is the Najm-802.
The closest equivalent to the UHF-band AESA is Irans to be officially unveiled Nebo variant, a VHF-band AESA.

The Chinese have the financial resources to produce high power TRMs for a long range S-band AESA. That's not the case for Iran yet and the Najm series is used up to the necessary ranges for the SAM systems it is used with. This new Chinese radar has at least 50% larger aperture dimensions than the Najm-802 of similar layout. Together with expensive high power GaA TRMs, it can be used as a long range, 500-600km early warning radar that can perform continuous sector scan in support of SAM system guidance.
Iran still goes for more cost effective PESA/AESA hybrid technology for such very long range applications, with the Bavar-373's acquisition radar probably being the first exception.

On the UHF- VHF- AESA side however Iran is about to reach the same level as the new PLA system. Aperture-size-wise, TRM power-level wise, in both categories, yet to come Irans Nebo variant offers equivalent capabilities to this latest PLA asset.

The S-band AESA identified PLA system could also be a Gamma-D-like L-band AESA and the UHF-band AESA and upper VHF band AESA.

Anyway, we see that Iran is catching up to Chinese level in airdefense, both taking similar paths, like return to hot launch method for economy (HQ-22/Bavar-373) and Tor-based SHORADs (FM-2000/Oghab).

This would have been unthinkable just a decade ago.
Iran can't and won't go the Chinese "equivalent for everything" path the Chinese go but similar decisions on some paths are a good sign.

Any info regarding their range?

 

[Taher 2000]

whats the meaning of (تک نرخی)?

 

[PeeD]

Any info regarding their range?

Goal range of the Chinese S-band AESA is certainly over 500km vs. 2m² RCS target. It would be very useful for ABM role.
The UHF-/VHF-band system likely has 600km target goal against a 2m² RCS target.

Irans closest radars S-band AESA Bavar engagement radar seems to have a range over 300km against a 2m² RCS target.
But Irans VHF-band Nebo AESA will have 600km against a 2m² target.

Irans ABM requirements and cost restrictions would not justify a high power, large array S-band like the new Chinese system.

 

[skyshadow]

Goal range of the Chinese S-band AESA is certainly over 500km vs. 2m² RCS target. It would be very useful for ABM role.
The UHF-/VHF-band system likely has 600km target goal against a 2m² RCS target.

Irans closest radars S-band AESA Bavar engagement radar seems to have a range over 300km against a 2m² RCS target.
But Irans VHF-band Nebo AESA will have 600km against a 2m² target.

Irans ABM requirements and cost restrictions would not justify a high power, large array S-band like the new Chinese system.

what about Meraj 4 radar?

 

[PeeD]

Meraj-4 is in a lower class, volume search-only, 1D, no sector scan capability.
However it is much more cost effective and its role in the Bavar-373 structure is only volume search, battle management.
Not even Russians are ready to pay for such a large TRM count S-band radar yet.

 

[VEVAK]

Goal range of the Chinese S-band AESA is certainly over 500km vs. 2m² RCS target. It would be very useful for ABM role.
The UHF-/VHF-band system likely has 600km target goal against a 2m² RCS target.

Irans closest radars S-band AESA Bavar engagement radar seems to have a range over 300km against a 2m² RCS target.
But Irans VHF-band Nebo AESA will have 600km against a 2m² target.

Irans ABM requirements and cost restrictions would not justify a high power, large array S-band like the new Chinese system.

My main worry in the short terms is with a viable, modern & affordable SHORAD system because

1st They would have to mass produced and mass deployed in much larger numbers
2nd They have to operate at much faster speeds so they would require much faster reaction times where against more sophisticated targets you'll have less than 30 seconds to target, engage & hit your target or it will be too late.
3rd With SHORAD systems against a modern military force the vast majority of your targets are less likely to be larger manned Aircraft rather projectiles, UAV's, Cruise Missiles.....
4th Your SHORAD systems need to be the last line of defense against targets capable of flying below radar.

And to do all that at an affordable price so it can be mass deployed across the country will be a challenge

 

[Iskander]

Iran is reaching the technological level where it can create defensive alternatives to AEW aircraft and their strength of detecting terrain masking assets. I won't detail it.

A cost-effective approach for detecting low flying targets is Aerostat mounted radars like American Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) and Israeli EL/M-2083

 

[Arminkh]

View attachment 583411whats the meaning of (تک نرخی)?

Maybe material was bought by ارز تک نرخی

 

[TheImmortal]

A cost-effective approach for detecting low flying targets is Aerostat mounted radars like American Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) and Israeli EL/M-2083

That thing is gonna be literally a blimp on the Radar of any major adversary. Any major attack and a BVR missile will destroy that thing in a heartbeat.

Don’t see how it’s useful in wartime as even air defense systems will struggle to defend it from A2A.

 

[skyshadow]

A cost-effective approach for detecting low flying targets is Aerostat mounted radars like American Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) and Israeli EL/M-2083

well Iran has the capability from 2014 with OWJ 10 but i don't know if it's fully operational Iran said it can be mounted with radars and EW but i do not know if they did it or not.

 

[skyshadow]

Some of Iran's Air Defence Force Systems

 

[zectech]

Russian hack article belittling the Bavar 373s over at the Kremlin site Southfront.

Iran’s Air Defense: In Pursuit Of S-300

https://southfront.org/irans-air-defense-in-pursuit-of-s-300/