Iran buys Russia’s anti-aircraft system

Iran secretly signed a $589  million arms deal to acquire one of Russia’s most modern man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) to rebuild air defences damaged during last year’s war with Israel, the FT reports

Verba 9M336 rocket: Capable of targeting cruise missiles, low-flying aircraft and drones

Solid-fuel flight motor
Launch booster
Warhead
Guidance section
Tri-band heat seeker: Operates in ultraviolet, near- and mid-infrared wavelengths
Sight assembly
Link to digital fire control network
Thermal battery
Trigger
1.5kg high-explosive. Blast generator uses any remaining rocket fuel as additional explosive

Range
Kill altitude
Velocity
Weight
6.5km
4.5km
500m/s
11-12kg

Mowgli-2 night vision sight
Gripstock: Reuseable assembly contains battery cooling unit and “identification friend or foe” (IFF) interrogator switch
Disposable launch tube
IFF radar antenna: Detects transponders on friendly aircraft
Digital network: Launchers can be linked to automated fire control system which can track multiple targets before they are within engagement range and assign targets to crews. This reduces operator reaction time from minutes to under 10 seconds

Sources: FT, IHS Jane’s, Global Security
Picture: A. B. Kapпehko
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