Weapons Systems

The Fateh-110 is a single-stage, solid-propellant short-range ballistic missile developed by Iran. It entered service in 2002 and has been exported to proxy forces including Hezbollah. Multiple variants have been produced with progressively improved accuracy through GPS-aided guidance.

The Shahab-3 is a medium-range liquid-fuelled ballistic missile derived from the North Korean Nodong-1. First tested in 1998 and operational since 2003, it forms a core component of Iran's strategic deterrent. Its large CEP limits it to area targets, though later variants incorporated improved guidance.

The Emad is a medium-range ballistic missile and an upgraded variant of the Shahab-3 with a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) and GPS-aided guidance. Tested in 2015, it represents Iran's first precision-guided ballistic missile with a claimed CEP of approximately 500 meters. Its development prompted significant international concern regarding Iran's compliance with UNSC resolutions.

The Kheibar Shekan is a third-generation solid-fuelled medium-range ballistic missile unveiled by Iran in February 2022. It is notably lighter and more compact than its liquid-fuelled predecessors, enabling faster launch preparation. Iran claims terminal maneuverability to evade missile defenses and a high degree of accuracy.

The Fattah-1 is Iran's first claimed hypersonic ballistic missile, unveiled in June 2023. Iran states it features a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) capable of maneuvering during its terminal phase at speeds exceeding Mach 13. Independent analysts have expressed skepticism regarding some performance claims, though the missile represents a significant advance in Iranian solid-fuel technology.

The Sejjil is a two-stage, solid-fuelled medium-range ballistic missile with an estimated range of 2,500 km, making it Iran's longest-range solid-propellant missile. First tested in 2008, its solid-fuel design provides a significantly shorter launch preparation time compared to liquid-fuelled systems such as the Shahab-3. The program has faced development delays but remains strategically important for Iran's deterrence posture.

The Paveh is a long-range ground-launched cruise missile in Iran's arsenal, closely related to the Hoveyzeh and Soumar cruise missiles. It employs a small turbojet engine for sustained low-altitude flight and GPS/INS guidance for precision strike capability. Iran used cruise missiles of this class alongside ballistic missiles during the April 2024 strike against Israel.

Iron Dome is an Israeli mobile all-weather air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is designed to intercept short-range rockets, artillery shells, and mortars with a range of 4-70 km. Since its deployment in 2011, it has achieved a reported interception success rate exceeding 90% during operations in Gaza conflicts.

David's Sling is an Israeli medium-range air defense system jointly developed by Rafael and Raytheon. Its Stunner interceptor uses a dual-seeker combining radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors for a hit-to-kill engagement. It fills the gap between Iron Dome and the Arrow system, targeting cruise missiles, large-caliber rockets, and short-range ballistic missiles.

Arrow-2 is an endo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile interceptor developed jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing. It intercepts ballistic missiles within the upper atmosphere using a blast-fragmentation warhead. The system was first operationally deployed in 2000 and was employed during Iran's April 2024 missile attack on Israel.

Arrow-3 is an exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile interceptor designed to destroy ballistic missiles during the space-flight portion of their trajectory using hit-to-kill kinetic energy. Developed by IAI with U.S. support, it can engage targets at altitudes exceeding 100 km. It was deployed operationally in 2017 and represents the upper tier of Israel's layered missile defense architecture.

The Patriot PAC-3 is the latest variant of the U.S. MIM-104 Patriot air defense system, employing hit-to-kill technology rather than a blast-fragmentation warhead. It can engage tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. The PAC-3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) variant further extends range and maneuverability.

The Tomahawk is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile used by the U.S. Navy for precision land-attack strikes. In service since 1983, it has been employed in every major U.S. military operation from the Gulf War onward. Block IV and V variants incorporate two-way satellite datalink for in-flight retargeting and maritime moving-target capability.

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a GPS/INS guidance kit that converts unguided gravity bombs into precision-guided munitions. Produced by Boeing, JDAM kits can be fitted to Mk 82 (500 lb), Mk 83 (1000 lb), and Mk 84 (2000 lb) bomb bodies. Israel has extensively used JDAMs in its operations in Gaza and Lebanon.

The Harpoon is a widely deployed anti-ship cruise missile manufactured by Boeing (originally McDonnell Douglas). It can be launched from surface ships, submarines, and aircraft. Block II variants incorporate GPS waypoint navigation enabling land-attack capability in addition to the primary anti-ship role.

The Toofan is an anti-ship ballistic missile employed by the Houthi forces (Ansar Allah) in their campaign against Red Sea commercial shipping. Believed to be derived from Iranian designs, it combines ballistic trajectory with terminal guidance to engage maritime targets. The Houthis have used it extensively since late 2023 to target commercial vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

The Shahed-136 is an Iranian-made delta-wing loitering munition powered by a small piston engine (MD-550). Designed as a low-cost one-way attack drone, it navigates via GPS/INS to its target and detonates its integrated warhead on impact. Iran used large numbers of Shahed-136 drones alongside ballistic and cruise missiles during its April 2024 attack on Israel, and the Houthis have employed them extensively against targets in the Red Sea region.

The Shahed-149 Gaza is Iran's largest known MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) unmanned aerial vehicle, unveiled in 2023. It is designed for long-duration intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions as well as strike operations with an endurance exceeding 24 hours. The aircraft can carry multiple precision-guided munitions under its wings, and Iran claims it has satellite communication capability for beyond-line-of-sight operations.

The Mohajer-6 is an Iranian tactical UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle) capable of carrying precision-guided munitions including the Qaem-series glide bombs and Almas anti-tank missiles. It has a reported endurance of up to 12 hours and is equipped with an electro-optical/infrared sensor turret for ISR. The Mohajer-6 has been used operationally by Iranian forces and has been exported to multiple countries.

The Hermes 450 is a medium-size tactical UAV developed by Elbit Systems, primarily used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. It has an endurance of approximately 17 hours and carries an EO/IR payload with optional laser designator. The Hermes 450 has been the backbone of IDF tactical UAV operations and was exported to numerous countries, forming the basis for the UK's Watchkeeper drone.

The Hermes 900 is a MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) UAV developed by Elbit Systems as the successor to the Hermes 450. It has an endurance exceeding 30 hours and can carry a payload of up to 300 kg, including ISR sensors and precision munitions. The IDF designates it 'Kochav' (Star) and has used it extensively for persistent surveillance and strike coordination in the Gaza and Lebanon theaters.

The MQ-9 Reaper is a remotely piloted MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) unmanned aircraft system developed by General Atomics. It has an endurance of over 27 hours and can carry up to 1,700 kg of ordnance including Hellfire missiles, GBU-12 laser-guided bombs, and GBU-38 JDAMs. The U.S. Air Force has operated MQ-9s extensively throughout the Middle East for ISR and precision strike missions.