In its latest showcase of military powers, Iran on Tuesday unveiled a new home-made long-range radar system, reported the semi-official Fars news agency.
According to the report, Iran claims the new system, named Sepehr (Sky), has the capability of detecting satellite and space objects’ trajectories.
“The Sepehr radar system covers a range of over 2,500 kilometers and can detect stealth targets and micro UAVs at low, medium and high altitudes while it can also very easily identify and detect ballistic, semi-ballistic and cruise missiles,” an Iranian official, Brigadier General Shahrokh Shahram, was quoted as having said during the unveiling ceremony.
The commander underlined that Sepehr could successfully pass all tests.
Earlier Tuesday, according to Fars, the radar went under a final test of operation and assessment, and General Shahram said the results were successful and “the information gathered by the radar during its last assessment test today was for the first time fed into the country’s integrated radar and air defense network”.
The General said Sepehr provides the air defense units to identify hostile targets far from the country’s borders, leaving them with more time for decision-making and reaction.
Iran often boasts of military advances but it is not clear how accurate these announcements really are and whether they are actually an attempt by the regime to convince Iranians of the country’s military strength.
A year ago, the country unveiled a newly-developed advanced radar system which it claims has high target detection capabilities.
Previously, Iran presented a new fighter jet, claiming it is able to evade radar systems.
Code-named the Qaher (Conqueror) F-313 and shaped similar to stealth bombers, the grey warplane was designed and built domestically, then President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boasted.
Israeli experts subsequently cast doubt about the authenticity of the fighter jet, noting that Iran has no capability to build aircraft.