Iran Says Indigenous Air Defenses Shot Down More Than 200 Enemy Aircraft During War

Iran’s Army Air Defense Force says its domestically developed air defense systems shot down more than 200 enemy aircraft during the recent US-Israeli war.

Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, commander of the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force, made the claim in a message marking Iran’s Air Defense Day on Tuesday.

Elhami said Iran has continued to develop and deploy locally produced air defense systems designed to meet the country’s operational needs. He added that some of the systems have no known foreign equivalents and that enemy forces were reportedly unaware of which Iranian systems had engaged their aircraft during the conflict.

According to the commander, the experience of the recent war demonstrated the importance of relying on domestic capabilities to strengthen Iran’s air defense.

Air defense forces deployed across more than 3,800 locations

Brigadier General Mohammad Sadeghian, the Army’s coordinating deputy commander, said Iranian air defense units are deployed at more than 3,800 locations across the country, including deserts, coastal areas, islands and mountainous regions.

He said the force carries out four main missions: detecting, identifying, intercepting and engaging aerial targets.

Sadeghian explained that air defense units monitor flying objects both within and, where possible, beyond Iran’s airspace. Once a target is detected and identified, it can be intercepted by fighter aircraft or engaged using missiles and other air defense systems.

He said the ultimate objective is to prevent hostile aircraft from carrying out their missions and, when necessary, destroy them.

Army Commander Major General Amir Hatami also emphasized the strategic importance of air defense, describing it as a key element of Iran’s defensive capabilities and national security.

Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani praised Iranian air defense personnel for what he described as their vigilance, courage and readiness during the recent conflict, saying they relied heavily on indigenous expertise and domestically produced equipment.

The claims come amid heightened tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States following the recent conflict, during which Iran launched missile and drone attacks against Israel and US military positions in the region in response to attacks on Iranian territory.

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