Iran beefing up air defenses
A senior Iranian defense official says Iran is upgrading its anti-aircraft system in anticipation of an Israeli strike
Ilan Ben Zion is an AFP reporter and a former news editor at The Times of Israel.
Iran is improving its anti-aircraft defense capabilities, the deputy chief of the Islamic Republic’s air defense system said Sunday.
“We will disrupt the activity of the enemy’s intelligence systems and act more forcefully against imperialism and world powers by uniting the Revolutionary Guards and army,” Brigadier General Ameri said.
Speaking at a seminar of Air Defense Commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army and the Revolutionary Guards on Sunday, Ameri told attendees that Iran’s anti-aircraft defenses are battle-hardened. Iran’s eight-year war with Iraq from 1980-1988 provided its air defense units with the experience necessary to confront an Israeli strike, he contended.
On New Year’s Day 2012, Iran test fired the “Mehrab,” a new anti-aircraft missile, during war-games in the Persian Gulf.
The Times of Israel Community.