Iran tests new long-range naval air defence system in Strait of Hormuz drills Video

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has unveiled a new long-range sea-based air defence capability during military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz.

The drills, dubbed “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz,” featured the first operational launch of the Sayyad-3G surface-to-air missile from the Shahid Sayyad Shirazi warship, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

According to Iranian military statements, the vertically launched missile has a reported range of 150 kilometres and is designed to provide extended air defence coverage for naval vessels operating in strategic waters.

Iranian officials said the Sayyad-3G system enables the creation of an air defence dome to protect ships such as the Shahid Suleimani, expanding the country’s long-range air defence capabilities at sea.

The system is reportedly capable of independently detecting, tracking, and engaging aerial targets, while also being integrated into a unified command-and-control network.

Military analysts note that the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically sensitive waterways, with a significant portion of global energy shipments passing through the narrow passage. Enhancing naval air defence systems could improve the survivability of Iranian vessels against potential aerial threats, particularly in a region marked by heightened military presence and periodic tensions.

Iran has in recent years invested heavily in expanding its domestic missile and defence production capabilities, frequently unveiling new systems during large-scale exercises. 

By Sabina Mammadli