TEHRAN- The commander of the Iranian Air Defense Force announced on Saturday that experts have modified a domestic surface-to-air missile for use with the “Karrar” jet-powered drone.

The Air Defense Force has successfully equipped the Karrar drone with an 8-kilometer-range heat-seeking air-to-air missile called “Majid”, Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi-Fard stated.

The Majid surface-to-air missile underwent a series of technological changes by Air Defense experts, transforming it into an air-based missile following 18 months of research and trial, he explained. 

The commander said that the Majid missile, whose warhead could explode a variety of airborne targets, was fitted to the Karrar drone.

With a height of 47,000 feet, Karrar, the first Iranian military drone, has broken the service ceiling record.

Foreign aircraft that have been approaching Iran’s coastline waters or its flight information region (FIR) have already received radar and radio alerts from the drone.

Karrar is a modern Iranian jet drone that is designed to intercept hostile flying objects. It is sometimes referred to as an advanced interceptor drone. It makes it possible for the armed forces of the nation to carry out a wider variety of high-altitude air defense missions.

On September 30, Sabahi-Fard said that the exceptional military capabilities of Iran’s Air Defense Force are unique in the West Asia region.

General Sabahi-Fard pointed to Saddam Hussein’s war against Iran in the 1980s, saying armed forces resisted the invading Saddam army for eight years with arms that “all were bought from abroad and we were completely dependent.” 

“But today, the powerful air defense force of the Army has the most advanced and adequate indigenous equipment in the fields of detection, interception, conflict, and information systems in the world.”

Sabahi-Fard emphasized that it is unquestionably true that Iran is an absolute power in air defense in the region, adding, “Our Air defense has something to say at the world level. Of course, our enemies are cognizant of this power.”

The general said that the efforts of the Air Defense Force and its state-of-the-art tools have made the Islamic Republic of Iran’s airspace the safest in the entire world.

The armed forces are now self-sufficient thanks to extraordinary advancements made in recent years by Iranian military specialists and engineers in the manufacture of a wide variety of indigenous equipment.

Iranian officials have made it clear that the nation would never negotiate on its defense capabilities and that Iran will never hesitate to expand its military capabilities, particularly its missile capacity, which is only intended for defensive purposes.

Addressing a gathering of foreign military attachés on September 7 in Tehran, Sabahi-Fard said that the Islamic Republic is prepared to share its military expertise with friendly nations and conduct joint exercises with them.

Sabahi-Fard went on to say that the Air Defense Force is ready to foster military cooperation with the allies in a variety of areas, including training, the sharing of technological and operational experiences, and organizing joint war games. 

The military official added that the Islamic Republic’s message to the allies and friendly nations is “peace and friendship”.

Sabahi-Fard also said the forces under his command have made Iran’s skies safe for friendly states based on international law.

“The Air Defense Force is tasked with securing Iran’s airspace. By God’s grace and the efforts of my colleagues, it has managed to turn the country’s skies into a safe place for friendly countries within the framework of international law and an unsafe place for hostile parties.” 

He added, “Deterrence as the defense doctrine of the Islamic Republic of Iran hinges upon amicable and mutual relations with all countries of the world, especially friendly and neighboring states in West Asia.”

Additionally, the air defense chief said, the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran opened the door for a shift in the unfair global order and the end of unilateralism.

Also, he said, the Islamic system in Iran presented a severe threat to the interests of superpowers, particularly in the vital West Asia region.

Sabahi-Fard also said Armed Forces, while enjoying complete readiness, employ state-of-the-art technology and rely on homegrown capabilities.

The general further stated that Iran places a high priority on independence and the use of home-built missiles.

He added, “The ability to react swiftly and forcefully to any hostile action of the enemy constitutes deterrence in the defense strategy of the Air Defense Force.”

Sabahi-Fard further stated that the Air Defense Force has been able to diversify its medium-altitude and long-endurance systems during the last two decades, thanks to the collaboration with the Defense Ministry and knowledge-based enterprises.