Iran Missile System Tested ‘Successfully’ During Military Drills

An Iran missile system designed by the Islamic republic was tested ‘successfully' during military drills on Thursday, state-run Press TV reported.
Iran Missile System Tested ‘Successfully’ During Military Drills
11/18/2010
Updated:
11/18/2010
Iran tested a missile system designed by the Islamic republic itself during military drills on Thursday, Press TV reported.

An Iranian military general told the state-run media network the tests were conducted “successfully” amidst mass air drills carried out by the country’s army and other armed forces.

The S-200 system, developed by Iran after Russia refused to sell it the S-300 two months ago, resembles and has capabilities similar to its Russian counterpart, Brigadier General Mohammad Hassan Mansourian said.

“We have developed the system by upgrading systems like S-200 and we have tested it successfully using all our potential and experience in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), the Army and the Defense Ministry,” General Mansourian told Press TV.

Iranian military officials lauded the S-200 as capable of “spotting and destroying advanced aircraft at low and high altitudes,” according to Press TV, which cited Iranian military spokesperson Brigadier General Hamid Arzhangi.

Experts polled by Reuters, however, said the S-200, which was test-fired on the third day of Iran’s aerial war games, could not compare in effectiveness and sophistication to the Russian S-300.

The latest missile tests came after Russia cancelled the sale of its S-300 missile system in September, a move that the United States and Israel endorsed. The two allies, wary of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, argued that the system could imperil the effectiveness of potential air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to Reuters.

The failed deal deeply angered Iran, prompting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to call Russia’s actions “illegal.” Russian officials denied the sale was contractually obligated, and vowed to return all funds paid for the sale, according to the Agence France-Presse.