Iran plans to modify Bavar-373 air defence system

An Iranian commander unveiled plans for manufacturing the second version of the homegrown missile defence system "Bavar-373" to hunt ballistic targets.

The Iranian Army Air Defense Force’s deputy commander for coordination, General Mohammad Yousefi, said plans have been devised to manufacture the second version of the Bavar-373 air defence missile system in the country, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on May 10.

He noted that the new version will be suited to intercept ballistic targets, saying more details will be made public in the near future.

Bavar-373, which Tehran unveiled in August 2019, is modelled after the Russian-made S-300. The long-range air defence system is capable of detecting up to 100 targets, tracking 60 of them, and engaging with six concurrently.

A distinguishing feature of Bavar-373 is its vertical launching system with square launchers, mostly used for air defence on warships.

Bavar-373 uses a long-range, phased array fire-control radar, dubbed Me’raj-4. The air defence system employs three different types of missiles to hit targets at various altitudes.

In November 2022, the Iranian Defense Ministry unveiled "Sayyad 4B", a new solid-propellant missile paired with the Bavar-373 air defence system with a range of 300 kilometres.

Commander of Air Defense Force of the Iranian Army Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard said Bavar-373 has become capable of countering the fifth-generation fighter jets which have a low-observable Radar Cross Section (RCS).