Iran-Made Air Defense Shield Nightmare for Enemies

"The sons of Islamic Iran are in possession of Bavar-373 missile system with a range and quality higher than S-300 which has turned into a nightmare for the enemies," General Esmayeeli said, addressing a forum in the Southern city of Ahvaz on Friday night.

He added that the Iranian Armed Forces are standing against any aggression, stressing that they monitor any hostile move in regions as far as 3,000km away from the borders.

General Esmayeeli promised that no aggressor will ever dare to launch an attack on the country.

Iran designed and developed its own version of the S-300 missile shield after the Russians shrugged off delivery of their advanced missile defense system to Iran on the pretext of the UN Security Council sanctions.

The Iranian version has superior features over the original Russian model as it enjoys increased mobility, agility and reduced launch-preparation time.

In relevant remarks in January, Deputy Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base General Abolfazl Sepehri-Raad said all preliminary tests of Bavar (Belief) 373 have been conducted.

"All tests of the preliminary stages of Bavar 373 defense shield have been conducted successfully," General Sepehri-Raad said.

He also added that all trainings related to the Russian S-300 air defense system are presented inside Iran.

General Esmayeeli announced in July that Bavar (Belief) 373 defense shield will be launched by the next Iranian year (to start on March 21, 2018).

"Bavar 373 will be tested by the end of this year and will join the country's integrated defense system by the next year," General Esmayeeli told reporters in Tehran.

He also said that Iran has deployed the Russian S-300 missile defense shield and is using the system.

Iranian commanders had earlier said that Bavar 373 is similar to its original Russian model and traces and intercepts high-altitude targets.

After the removal of sanctions, Russia delivered S-300 air defense systems to Iran under the existing contract.