The Iranian Defense Ministry inaugurated the production line of the home-made long-range Sayyad (Hunter) 3 missiles, and supplied a number of missiles to Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli attended the inaugural ceremony.

“The Sayyad 3 missile system (used in missile shields) with an operational range of almost 120km and a flying altitude of 27km has been designed to confront mid and long range air threats,” General Dehqan said.

He explained that the missile can be fired against radar-evading fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, helicopters and different flying objects with a high maneuvering capability, high speed and high altitude.

“The missile enjoys a combined guiding system and is equipped with advanced active and semi-active infrared detector,” General Dehqan said, adding that it can also be used under electronic warfare conditions.

In April, Iran displayed for the first time the latest version of Sayyad 3 missiles used in the country’s air defense systems during the nationwide Army Day parades (photo).

General Esmayeeli had announced in 2014 that Iran has designed a new powerful and high-precision missile dubbed Sayyad 3 to be mounted on its long-range S-200 anti-aircraft system.

“We have designed Sayyad 3 missiles for the long-range S-200 air defense system,” Brigadier General Esmayeeli told reporters at the time.

He further stated that Iranian experts have also increased the precision capability of Sayyad 2 missiles to a considerable degree.

The Iranian Defense Ministry inaugurated the production line of Sayyad 2 in November 2013.