Iran displays guidance upgrade for artillery rockets

The Iranian Army unveiled what appeared to be a new guidance upgrade called the Labeik that converts existing artillery rockets into surface-to-surface missiles on 3 October.

Several Labeik units were displayed in an event attended by General Mohammad Hossein Dadras, the deputy commander of the regular military, and Brigadier General Kioumars Heidar, the commander of its ground forces.

The system looked similar to the guidance units used with the Fateh-110 family of solid-propellent missiles, although its four triangular control surfaces were inverted. As with the Fateh-110 family, these would be attached between the rocket motor and warhead to steer the projectile. They appeared to be compatible with the 610 mm diameter of the Zelzal heavy artillery rocket.

Iranian television showed footage of what was presented as the Labeik being tested, although one of the projectiles seen being launched appeared to be a member of the Fateh-110 family, probably a Hormuz anti-radiation variant.

The Labeik was one of several developments unveiled during the event, the others being the Rouin-Tan light armoured vehicle, the Heider-1 unmanned ground vehicle, the Farpod hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and a mobile jamming system.

The Rouin-Tan that was displayed had a double-cab, pick-up configuration. An interior shot showed the dashboard of a Toyota Land Cruiser 70, but this might be a local copy produced for Iran’s Aras tactical vehicle.

Iranian television aired footage that appeared to show the composite armour used to protect the vehicle being successfully tested against 12.7 mm rounds and a high-explosive anti-tank round projectile.

The six-wheeled Heider-1 was described as being “network orientated”. It was seen firing a Kalashnikov-type assault rifle mounted upside down.