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So, Tehran is showing off yet another
cruise missile (as it seems to do every
few months). This latest weapon,
dubbed the Ghader, is apparently
designed to destroy warships sailing
up to 124 miles off the nations coastline. Now if the missile actually works, it will
be able to take out targets anywhere
in the Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman.
However, while Tehrans got a bunch
of cruise missiles and ballistic missiles,
it will be interesting to see if the Iranians have mastered the guidance
and targeting systems needed to
strike a moving target. Iran frequently
unveils new tech that are nothing
more that parade pieces. Furthermore,
all the U.S. needs to do is park its ships beyond the reach this and Tehrans
other new carrier killer missile with a 185-mile range . I mean, Tomahawks and F/A-18E/F
Super Hornets launched from 400 to
1,000 miles offshore could easily
strike Irans missile batteries if the
Iranian military ever tried to close
down the Persian Gulf. So while the missiles pose a limited threat to the
region, they could be put out of action
by the U.S. Navy (or Air Force for that
matter). Sorry Iran, you havent yet
mastered area denial in the same way
that China is. Still, check out this interesting post over at DoDBuzz that lists what might actually be a bigger area denial threat
to U.S. ships in the Gulf, albeit less
glamorous one, than cruise missiles;
Iranian sea mines. From the AP: Irans president claimed on
Tuesday the countrys military
can cripple enemies on their own
ground as Tehran put a new
Iranian-made cruise missile on
display, the latest addition to the nations growing arsenal. The state TV reported that the
new missile, showcased at a
ceremony in Tehran, is designed
for sea-based targets, with a
range of 124 miles (200
kilometers) and is capable of destroying a warship. The TV
said it can travel at low altitudes
and has a lighter weight and
smaller dimensions. The best deterrence is that the
enemy does not dare to invade,
President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad said during the
ceremony. As he spoke, the TV
showed footage of the weapon, dubbed Ghader, or Capable
in Farsi.