Iran unveils new Qasem Basir ballistic missile resistant to Western air defence systems

The new development was presented after one of Iran's missiles managed to break through to Ben Gurion Airport, despite the Israeli-American missile defence system.

Here's What We Know

Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh announced the creation of the Qasem Basir medium-range ballistic missile, which has improved target engagement and manoeuvring capabilities. According to him, the new missile is capable of overcoming air defence systems such as THAAD, Patriot and Israeli systems that had previously intercepted previous Iranian developments.

The design of the new missile is based on the Haj Qasem model, but the upgraded version has not only inertial and satellite navigation, but also an optoelectronic homing head. A demonstration of the image from the warhead was shown on Iranian television.

During the test on 17 April, the missile accurately hit a target at a distance of more than 1,200 kilometres. As the programme's host noted, the missile's warhead has become more manoeuvrable.

Iran's ability to create high-precision guidance systems is no longer in doubt. Similar optical technology has previously been used on shorter-range Zolfaghar Basir missiles, but Qasem Basir is the first such system on a medium-range missile.

The presentation of the missile took place immediately after the incident near Tel Aviv, when an Iranian missile reached the Ben Gurion airport, despite the activation of air defence systems, including the US THAAD and the Israeli Arrow 3 system. The Israeli military confirmed the incident, saying that the missile passed after "several attempts" to intercept it, the results of which are still being investigated.

Source: Tehran Times