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Iran's Intregated Air Defence Network... Will it deter western air power?

Heinz89

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The problem with Iran's strategic SAM deployment is the evident over-reliance on the S-200 system to provide air defense over most of the nation. The S-200 is certainly a threat to aircraft such as the U-2R or E-3, but the primary threat which Iran must consider is that of standoff cruise missiles and strike aircraft featuring comprehensive EW suites. Against these types of low-RCS or maneuverable targets, the S-200 cannot be counted upon to be effective. Libyan S-200 systems proved completely ineffective against USN and USAFE strike aircraft in 1986, and the Iranian S-200s would logically be expected to fare no better in a much more challenging contemporary air combat environment.

The remainder of the Iranian SAM assets are primarily situated to provide point or local area defense and as such do not represent a serious threat to a dedicated and sophisticated enemy. Even lesser-equipped nations would be able to explot the various gaps and vulnerabilities in the coverage zones, provided the S-200s could be neutralized in some fashion, be it through ECM, technical capability, or direct attack. Given the current deployment strategy, the small number of sites, and the capability of the systems themselves, it is likely that Iran places more importance on the fighter force as an air defense element. This would explain the continued efforts to retain an operational fleet of F-14A Tomcat interceptors. The short range of the HQ-2 and HAWK systems, coupled with the inability of the S-200 to effectively deal with low-RCS targets, also explains well documented Iranian attempts to purchase advanced SAM systems from Russia and China. It is possible that Iran simply does not feel that a robust SAM network is necessary. Relying on the S-200 for long-range defense and the other systems as point defense weapons to defend Iran's critical military and political infrastructure.

Superficially, Iran's ground-based air defense picture appears to be relatively robust thanks to the presence and reach of the seven S-200 batteries. However, a closer analysis reveals an overall coverage which is currently full of holes and vulnerabilities that a potential aggressor could exploit. The Iranian strategic SAM force is clearly in need of a serious upgrade, one which is more substantial than simply producing modified HQ-2 missiles. The presence of air interceptors and numerous terrain constraints do explain away some of the negative aspects of Iran's SAM network, but taken as a whole it represents a relatively ineffective form of defense against a modern aggressor.

Reassessing Iran's Air Defences
 
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The S-200 is an old and very much understood system. Unless Iran has altered the radar or the intercept methodology, any modern attacker could easily suppress the S-200 with ECM.
 
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Iran's chances lies with the S-300PMU-1 system......... if they could get one... unless her air defenses suppression is a piece a cake for anyone!
 
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The S-200 is an old and very much understood system. Unless Iran has altered the radar or the intercept methodology, any modern attacker could easily suppress the S-200 with ECM.
Yes! ure right about that. The old S-200 system don't worth anything, its technology is from 80's era . Iran need tech like S-300 or beyond that to counter anykinda offensive from Israel or US...:smokin:
 
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The Russia--> Iran sale of the S-300 system has been up in the air for some time now. There is a lot of international pressure on Russia to NOT sell them the S-300, and Russia must ask the question, "What do we get out of this deal, beyond the revenues?" In other words, the Russians may feel that not selling Iran the S-300 will yield RUSSIA herself more benefits... trade, etc.

Russia will do what is good... for Russia. All nations work this way.
 
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Iran does not need any weapons to deter Western threats. The Iranians are playing a double game. The first people they will use their weapons against is Pakistan.

go on.....

































no really, I waana see where he's going with that
 
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iranians were never a threat to any non muslim country since the last 500 years and will continue to do so specially as long as this mullah regime is there

TARIQ
 
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Well Iran can use Chinese strategy of blanketing their country with SAMs (at least of today's standards even if not futuristic). Iranians have achieved a lot in missile tech and can make good use of that provided they are indeed going to have a supposed invasion.
 
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Well Iran can use Chinese strategy of blanketing their country with SAMs (at least of today's standards even if not futuristic). Iranians have achieved a lot in missile tech and can make good use of that provided they are indeed going to have a supposed invasion.

Iranians have made some progress in ballistic missile tech. But I have not seen any evidence they have made big leaps in SAM tech. Other then during thier almost biweekly announcments of their great defense technology breakthroughs. And looking at what they have deployed around the country. They are a long ways from being able to deploy any kind of effective blanket across Iran of even old SAM tech.
 
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No chance on earth they could stop western air dominance. Iran's only hope lies in firing as much ballistic missiles as possible before they are destroyed on the ground by USAF.
 
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If a nation can put a satellite into orbit which is considered one of the most challenging engineering jobs out there, this nation given time and funding can build a respectable SAM system capable of countering threats. And if they produce this indigenous SAM system in high numbers basing them around the country and train a dedicated and proficient staff to run it, then any aggressor party will have a hard time and high costs to go in. Iranians have already put satellite into orbit and they have access to funding. The only thing here is time. Will Iranians come up with their own SAM before an attack or that western countries will go bombing Iran before Iran gets the SAM batteries operational.
 
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