Iran Displays Home-Made Version of S-300 Missile Shield in Army Day Parades

Iran has displayed indigenous version of Russian S-300 missile defense system, called as Bavar (Belief) 373 in the military parades at the capital’s South on Saturday.

The Iranian version has superior features over the original Russian model as it enjoys increased mobility, agility and reduced launch-preparation time, Fars News Agency reported Saturday.

Iran designed and developed its own version of the S-300 missile shield after the Russia discarded the delivery of their advanced missile defense system to Iran on the pretext of the UN Security Council sanctions.

Iranian commanders had earlier said that Bavar 373, similar to its original Russian model, traces and intercepts high-altitude targets, and would come into operation this Iranian year. Iranian year started on 21 March this year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday removed the ban on the delivery of the missile shield to Iran.

Following the announcement, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said "the decree came as an interpretation of the will of the two countries' political leaders to develop and promote cooperation in all fields".

Putin's decision was announced hours after relevant reports said the Kremlin also plans to supply China with the advanced S-400 air defense system.

Iranian Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said on Wednesday that the home-made Bavar (Belief) 373 air missile shield has the same features of its Russian peer, the S-300.

Speaking on the sidelines of the unveiling ceremony of the ground force's achievements, Pourdastan said that supplying Iran with the Russian S-300 missiles will boost the country's air defense power and it can hit the targets at higher altitudes.

"But of course, Iran's Air Defense Base has carried out great task in recent years, including the designing and manufacturing of Bavar 373 air defense missile system, which has the same capabilities as the Russian S-300," the Iranian commander further stressed.

"Bavar 373 system is an important and completely indigenous achievement that can be a powerful rival for S-300," the commander reiterated.