Iran shows advanced production capabilities at Russia's Army 2023 Expo
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Iran's display stand at the world-renowned Amry 2023 forum showcases a wide array of homegrown weapons, including air-defense systems.
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Iranian-produced Balaban glide bomb is displayed at Iran's booth in the Russian International Military Technical Forum, Army 2023, Moscow, Russia, August 14, 2023. (Sputnik)
The Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) featured a variety of weapons and defense systems, some of which were revealed for the first time, at the Army 2023 International Military Technical Forum on Monday.
The exhibition came after "unprecedented attempts by the West to disrupt the forum held under the auspices of the Russian Defense Ministry," Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday, as he thanked participants for their presence at the forum which is "a clear confirmation of the failure of these destructive efforts."
The military forum featured 1,500 Russian defense companies and saw the participation of 85 international enterprises at the Patriot Park in the town of Kubinka, Moscow, Russia, and will be held from August 14 to 20, 2023.
Russian Mi-8 Heli at the #ARMY2023 pic.twitter.com/CZnPKD3cNY
— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) August 15, 2023
The Iranian team set up one of the largest display stands at the forum where weapons it featured ranged from small arms to air-launched glide bombs.
The unveiling of the Ababil OP missile at the forum caught the attention of military enthusiasts on social media. The missile is equipped with an optical seeker and could be launched at ground and naval targets. The missile resembles the Zahir missile of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), weighing 240 kg and featuring a 45 kg warhead and a range of 86 km. A miniature version of the missile was displayed next to a miniature version of an 8-canister mobile launcher.
A new battlefield ballistic missile was unveiled dubbed "Ababil OP", OP likely standing for optical sensor
— Iran Defense|نیروهای Ù…Ø³Ù„Ø Ø¬Ù…Ù‡ÙˆØ±ÛŒ اسلامی ایران (@IranDefense) August 14, 2023
The board says that it's capable of use against both ground & sea targets. Note that DIO made a typo & misspelt sea
A new 8 canister launcher was also shown for Ababil OP pic.twitter.com/G20JMeR7Mz
Read more: Iranian deputy defense chief lands in Moscow for security conference
The Iranian display stand also showcased several weapons, including the Shahed 129 UAV, the Shahed 133 UAV, the Zoheir ballistic missile, the 3rd Khordad air defense system, and the Sepehr-813 radar.
🔴🇮🇷 For the first time, the #IRGC Aerospace has showcased some of its products for sale at the #ARMY2023 exhibition. Among the items displayed are:
— Haidar Akarar  (@HaidarAkarar) August 14, 2023
1.Shahed 129 Drone
2.Shahed 133 Drone
3.Zoheir Missile
4.Saman-e Khordad System
5.Sepahar 813 SAR
6.Bashir Radar#MadeinIran #Iran pic.twitter.com/HSbVuIXTQM
Video footage published by Sputnik showed Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu walking past a Sayyad surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, which featured for the first time 3 additional vertical launchers per launching vehicle.
It is worth noting that vertical launchers allow air defense units faster rates of response to imminent aerial threats, as well as a 360-degree scope to engage targets.
The Russian Minister also examined a model of an Iranian Umberall-4 anti-drone electronic jamming system, which was displayed next to a Hunter-2 jamming system installed on a pick-up truck.
Vid 1: Shoigu examining a model of an Iranian "Umbrella-4" anti drone EW system. Pic 2 gives a better look at the system & it's ID card
— Iran Defense|نیروهای Ù…Ø³Ù„Ø Ø¬Ù…Ù‡ÙˆØ±ÛŒ اسلامی ایران (@IranDefense) August 14, 2023
Pic 3: Smaller Hunter-2 anti drone EW system
Vid 4: Some IEI products. Note full size Basir series ground surveillance radar in the backround pic.twitter.com/FglpsVNMdN
The Iranian booth also showcased an F365 air-launched anti-tank guided missile and the Balaban glide bomb that features controllable fins, an inertial navigation system (INS), and a Global Positioning System (GPS) guidance system.
Iran presented its latest F365 air-launched ATGM and the "Balaban" guided glide bomb. #Army2023 #Iran #Russia pic.twitter.com/BOgftKXFAh
— Venik (@venik44) August 14, 2023
The section designated to the MODAFL exhibited several other weapons and technologies, highlighting the strides which the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken in terms of its defense capabilities, which come as a result of diligent scientific and reverse engineering work that its military apparatus has completed.
