Iran unveils homemade rival to Russian S-300

By  Trend

Iran unveiled the long-range Bavar-373 homegrown missile defense system during a ceremony attended by President Hassan Rouhani.

Rouhani, who was visiting Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) at the Ministry of Defense On the occasion of the National Defense Industry Day Aug. 21, viewed various sections of the long-range missile system, Iran’s state-run IRINN TV reported.

Bavar-373, which Iran says is the home-made version of the Russian S-300 air defense system has been designed and constructed by Iranian experts at AIO in collaboration with Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base as well as scientific and research centers of the country.

Iranian security officials claim that, Bavar 373 is better than the Russian S-300, as it is able to track over 100 targets, just like the Russian system but with a higher targeting capability.

However military experts believe that statements regarding the capabilities of Bavar 373 are exaggerated and are not reflecting the reality.

Iran raised the issue of Bavar 373 during its disputes with Russia over S-300 system.

The $800-million Moscow-Tehran contract to deliver Russian S-300 system to Iran was signed in 2007. It was suspended after the adoption of the UN Security Council’s sanctions on Iran in mid-2010.

In 2011, Iran sued Russia in the Geneva Arbitration Court after Moscow suspended the contract.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the S-300 delivery ban in April 2015, shortly after the six world powers and Iran reached a framework agreement over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.

Iran’s defense minister said Aug. 20 that Russia has delivered main part of the system to Iran.

Tehran will completely receive the S-300 air defense system within next month, he added.