10/11/2022–|Last updated: 10/11/202219:17 (Mecca)
Iran announced that it had succeeded for the first time in its history in developing a hypersonic ballistic missile to thwart air defense systems, while a senior Western official considered the move “a cause for concern”.
“This missile has a high speed and can maneuver in and out of the atmosphere,” said Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Aerospace Forces of the Revolutionary Guards.
The semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim quoted Zadeh as saying the missile “will target the enemy’s advanced anti-missile systems, which is a big step forward in the field of missiles.”
The hypersonic missile flies at a speed of over 6,000 kilometers per hour, which is 5 times the speed of sound, and on a complex trajectory that makes interception difficult.
Zadeh stressed that “this new missile can penetrate all missile defense systems and I don’t think the technology capable of dealing with it will be found in the decades to come”.
exacerbates fears
In the first comment on the matter, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, said that the manufacture of an Iranian hypersonic ballistic missile exacerbates international “concerns” about Iran.
Grossi released a statement to Agence France-Presse on the sidelines of the Climate Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh.
He said this issue is not the agency’s responsibility, “but we cannot look at things in isolation. These announcements exacerbate fears and increase attention on the Iranian nuclear dossier,” stressing: “This must have an impact.”
A high-ranking commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) says the country has developed a native hypersonic ballistic missile capable of penetrating sophisticated air defense shields and striking designated targets. pic.twitter.com/xnw7Hw0yMt
– Highlights (@ highlightsnews1) November 10, 2022
A challenge for radar designers
According to Jane’s Bulletin, which specializes in defense and armament matters, hypersonic missiles pose a challenge to radar designers due to their high speed and maneuverability.
And earlier this week, Tehran said it has tested the Qaem 100 missile, the first Iranian vehicle launched in 3 phases, and that it will be able to put satellites weighing 80 kilograms into orbit 500 kilometers from the Earth’s surface. .
The West has repeatedly expressed concern that such ballistic missile technology launches could be promoted and the US has described such moves as “destabilizing”.
Iran denies that it is trying to develop a nuclear weapon and that its satellite and missile launches are purely for civilian or defensive purposes and do not violate the 2015 agreement or any other international agreement.
