For some time, Iran has been manufacturing numerous different antitank guided weapons and long-range surface-to-surface rockets, which have been exported in significant numbers, especially to other countries in the Middle East.

The Islamic Republic has expanded into other areas of missile technology including mobile surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and it remains to be seen whether these start to be sold abroad en masse as well.. Continues below

This analysis article originally appeared in December's Decisive Edge Land Warfare Newsletter.

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A range of SAMs is now being promoted by the Iranian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics with the first part of the designation (AD) standing for air defence and the following number for the maximum range in kilometres.

The shortest-range mobile system is the AD-08 which is based on an Italian-origin 4x4 platform with a two-door fully enclosed unprotected forward cab. A complete system consists of four elements.

The first is the pedestal-mounted launcher (AD-08L) with two circular canisters each side, containing an AD-08 fire-and-forget SAM. Between the two banks of missiles is an electro-optical system for detection and tracking of aerial threats (AD-08STO), claimed to be able to process up to four targets simultaneously.

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This sensor pod is said to have a maximum effective detection range of 15km with powered traverse of 360 degrees and a maximum powered elevation of up to 48 degrees.

Prior to target engagement, the complete system comes to a halt and four stabilisers are lowered to the ground by remote control, two either side of the rear load area.

There is space on the launch platform to carry additional missiles but these would have to be loaded manually.

Finally, there is the AD-08CC “fire control commander” unit which would probably allocate targets to the weapon system best suited to engage an aerial threat. It can be surmised that one of these typically controls three launchers.

From the available images it appears the system is fitted with an auxiliary power unit (APU) which would enable the main vehicle engine to be switched off.

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The second Iranian SAM is the much larger AD-40, with its launcher mounted on the rear of a 6x6 cross-country platform with a forward-control cab.

This vehicle, the AD-40L, carries up to three AD-40 missiles in square boxes with the cab provided with similar protection against blast effects when firing takes place. As with the AD-08, four stabilisers are lowered to the ground for launch.

The other two main elements are mounted on a 4x4 forward-control cross-country chassis. These are a “tactical pulse acquisition radar” (AD-40SR) and “tactical tracker and illuminator radar” (AD-40TIR).

Finally, there is the transporter and loader vehicle (AD-40TL) which carries replacement missiles in their launch containers which are transferred to the AD-40L using a crane.

While the missile is brand new, the two radars are very similar to those used by the US MIM-23 HAWK SAM which was supplied to Iran well before the 1979 revolution. Most HAWK elements were trailer-mounted and could have been reverse-engineered with potentially some foreign assistance.

The AD-40SR has a quoted maximum range of 120km and is claimed to be able to track up to 100 targets at once, with its radar scanning a full 360 degrees in azimuth and up to 18 degrees in elevation.

Once an aircraft has been confirmed as hostile, it is handed over to the AD-40TIR which has a maximum range of up to 80km and illuminates the target until missile impact.

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Next is the AD-75, centred on an AD-75L launcher with four missile canisters mounted on a platform traversable through 360 degrees with +45 degrees elevation. The AD-75L has a 6x6 chassis with forward-control cabin, four outriggers and an APU.

A similar platform (AD-75 STR) is the command and radar vehicle, carrying a phased-array antenna which is stored horizontal when travelling and elevated to the vertical position on deployment.

In acquisition mode the array is said to have a maximum range of 200km, and in guidance mode 180km, which is more than the actual AD-75 missile. The C2 station is situated at the rear of the AD-75STR. There is also a transporter-loader vehicle (AD-75TLK).

It is claimed that this system can engage up to six targets at the same time.

The AD-75S appears to be an evolution of the AD-75 but with the missiles launched vertically rather than obliquely and the launcher and phased-array antenna mounted on a new 8x8 platform with a forward-control cab and four stabilisers.

Key elements are the AD-75CRL command and radar launcher vehicle, AD-75M missiles in their containers and the AD-75LL launcher and loader vehicle.

The fifth SAM system is the AD-120 which includes an AD-120SR search radar identical to that used in the AD-40, a new tracker and Illuminator radar, and up to three AD-120L launchers each with four missiles.

Finally, there is the AD-200 long range air defence system which includes the AD-200CC “combat control post”, AD-200SR search radar, AD-200TR target tracking radar and AD-200L launcher.

Both radars are of the phased array type with the surveillance radar having a maximum range of 320km. The AD-200SR can be rotated through 360 degrees with good elevation (-3 to +85 degrees) and can process up to 200 targets at the same time. The tracking radar has a maximum range of 260km with azimuth traverse of 45 degrees left and right and the same elevation limits.

The AD-200CC and AD-200SR/TR are mounted on 8x8 platforms with a forward control unprotected cab and four remote-control outriggers. The actual launcher is based on a 10x10 chassis with the four missile canisters mounted at the rear which are elevated to the vertical prior to launch.

As with the others it has an APU and four outriggers are lowered to the ground before missiles are launched. A complete system would typically consist of up to six launchers plus the other three specialist vehicles.

These Iranian SAMs would not be used independently but as part of a layered air defence system including anti-aircraft guns and man-portable missiles to cover very low-level targets and plug any gaps in the overall network.

Prior to the Iranian revolution in 1978-1979, Tehran procured its SAMs from the UK (towed Rapier) and US (towed HAWK) but since then has received missiles from China and Russia, as well as developing its own systems or reverse-engineering elements of these imports.

One mobile SAM not known to be marketed internationally by Iran so far is the Sevom Khordad which in appearance is very similar to the Russian Buk M2 with three missiles in ready-to-launch position. This is based on a 6x6 platform and shot down a US Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk some years ago.

How effective these Iranian SAMs are remains to be seen, as in mid-2025 the country was subjected to air attacks by both Israel and the US, and its defences proved to be largely ineffective.

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