Iran air defense improved but not game-changing, analysts say

August 31, 2017

The National:

Iran this week showcased two new components of what it hopes will become a more effective air defence network – a development that might eventually have significant implications, and be key in its quest to weaken the conventional military superiority of the US and its regional allies.

Analysts said the announcements that Iran’s military has “fully integrated” its new Russian-supplied S-300 missile systems into its air defence network, and developed new air surveillance technology, are incremental steps that do not at the moment unravel the deterrent capabilities of the United States, GCC and Israel.

“Iran has a long history of overstated military performance … [and] the recent announcement of new military radar equipment could very much enter in this category,” said Marc Martinez, an Iran analyst at the Delma Institute. “Such announcements are designed to create fear, but they often don’t even raise any eyebrows among defense specialists.”

Read the full article