Prelims:Current events of national and international importance | Defence
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The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy successfully tested 'Sayyad-3G', air defense system for the first time.
The Sayyad-3G is an advanced naval surface-to-air missile developed by Iran.
Operational Range -Approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles).
Launch System -Utilizes a Vertical Launch System (VLS). This allows the ship to fire the missile without needing to turn toward the target, providing 360-degree coverage.
Speed - Estimated to reach speeds between Mach 4.5 and 5.1.
Guidance -Features advanced radar-based terminal homing and inertial mid-course guidance.
It can operate as part of an integrated command network or track targets independently using the host ship’s radar.
Launch Platform- It was launched from the Shahid Sayyad Shirazi, a catamaran corvette of the Shahid Soleimani class.
Target Profile- Designed to intercept high-performance fighter jets, maritime patrol aircraft, high-altitude UAVs (drones), and cruise missiles.
Significance of the "G" Variant -The Sayyad-3G is specifically engineered for maritime environments.
Maritime Adaptation - Unlike the original 2016 land-based Sayyad-3, the "G" variant is optimized for the humid and corrosive conditions of the sea.
Layered Defense - Its deployment allows Iran to create a "regional air defense umbrella" far from its coast, shifting its naval strategy from point-defense (short-range) to area-defense (medium-to-long-range).
Impact on Regional Security - The introduction of the Sayyad-3G allows Iranian naval units to contest airspace in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz more effectively.
By establishing a 150 km defensive bubble around its warships, Iran aims to increase the "cost of entry" for adversary aircraft and surveillance drones in these sensitive waters.
