Non-Subscriber Extract
Iran claims indigenous SAM production
By Robert Hewson
12 June 2009
Iran claims to be building its own version of the MIM-23 HAWK missile as the Shahin. (ISNA Vahod Alaee)
Claiming it to be "a milestone in Iran's anti-aircraft systems", Iranian Defence Minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar says production has begun on a new surface-to-air missile (SAM).
The missile, called Shahin (meaning 'Hawk'), was displayed to Iranian journalists to mark the official opening of the production line on 6 June. Footage of a Shahin missile launch to intercept a drone target was shown by state broadcaster IRINN.
"The range of this advanced defence system is more than 40 km and [it] is capable of tracing and targeting enemy planes and helicopters intelligently and at supersonic speed," said General Mohammed-Naijar to the local press. "The system contributes a major role in strengthening field and spot defence."
Iran's Shahin is similar to Raytheon's MIM-23 HAWK SAM, which were supplied to Iran by the US before the fall of the Shah in 1979.