Khordad-3.

Technical Data

• Armament

  The Khordad-3 air defense system is built around a self-contained Transporter-Erector-Launcher and Radar (TELAR) vehicle mounted on a heavy multi-axle tactical chassis. The combat vehicle integrates sealed missile canisters, a hydraulically actuated elevation launcher frame, onboard active phased-array fire-control radar, digital engagement electronics, onboard power generation systems, and hydraulic stabilization mechanisms into a single autonomous firing unit.

  The missile assembly is mounted at the rear of the vehicle and carries three or four ready-to-fire interceptors depending on configuration. During firing operations, two hydraulic stabilizers positioned between the axles are deployed to enhance vehicle stability and ensure accurate missile launch alignment. The onboard fire-control radar, mounted forward of the missile pack, provides target acquisition, precision tracking, engagement solution calculation, and mid-course guidance updates. The radar detection capability is reported to exceed 200 kilometers. The system is capable of engaging four aerial targets simultaneously while guiding up to eight missiles concurrently under optimal engagement conditions.

  A defining characteristic of Khordad-3 is its multi-missile compatibility, allowing deployment of short-, medium-, and long-range interceptors from a unified launcher architecture without structural redesign.

• Missiles

  Khordad-3 supports a diversified missile inventory designed to provide layered interception capability across multiple engagement envelopes.

  The Taer-2 missile provides a maximum engagement range of 50 kilometers and a flight ceiling of 27 kilometers, establishing the system’s initial operational capability. The Taer-2A extends the engagement range to 75 kilometers while maintaining the same altitude envelope. The Taer-2B further increases the maximum reach to approximately 105 kilometers with a flight ceiling of 27 kilometers.

  The Sayyad-2 missile provides a range of 75 kilometers and a flight ceiling of 27 kilometers, while the Sayyad-2C extends engagement distance to approximately 120 kilometers. The Sayyad-3 significantly enhances long-range interception capability with a maximum range of 150 kilometers and a flight ceiling of 30 kilometers.

  The Taer-3, also designated as the long-range missile of the Khordad-3 system, represents the most advanced interceptor integrated into the platform. It provides a reported maximum engagement range of 200 kilometers and a flight ceiling of 30 kilometers, elevating the system into the long-range high-altitude air defense category.

  The 9 Dey missile provides short- to medium-range interception capability between 5 and 30 kilometers with a flight ceiling of 20 kilometers. It is deployed from a dedicated box launcher configuration specifically designed for this missile but remains structurally integrated within the Khordad-3 architecture.

  All missile variants utilize solid-fuel rocket propulsion and employ inertial mid-course guidance with command updates transmitted from the fire-control radar, followed by terminal radar homing. This guidance architecture enables interception of maneuvering aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and high-altitude reconnaissance platforms.

• Mobility

  Khordad-3 shares its carrier chassis architecture with the Raad, Tabas, Alam Al-Hodi, and 9 Dey systems. Although visually comparable to the Belarusian MZKT-6922 platform used in Buk-M2 systems, the Iranian chassis differs significantly in configuration.

  The Iranian vehicle features a shorter overall length and a front-mounted engine configuration, unlike the rear-mounted layout of the Belarusian design. Access to onboard electronic systems is provided through side-mounted operator doors with a distinct structural arrangement. The vehicle incorporates two hydraulic stabilizing jacks between the axles to enhance firing stability and structural balance.

  Vehicle dimensions are approximately 8.9 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in height. The platform supports off-road mobility and rapid redeployment consistent with modern shoot-and-scoot air defense doctrine.

• Command and Control Vehicles

  A standard Khordad-3 battalion consists of one centralized control station, one Bashir long-range search radar unit, four TELAR vehicles, and eight supporting TEL vehicles, providing a total of 36 ready missiles per battalion.

  The Bashir radar performs continuous 360-degree surveillance with a reported detection range of 350 kilometers, providing early warning and target designation capability. Each TELAR vehicle is equipped with its own fire-control radar and can operate autonomously while remaining networked with the control station and Bashir radar. Each TELAR coordinates with two subordinate TEL vehicles, enabling distributed yet synchronized engagement capability within the battalion formation.

• Combat Use

  The primary operational mission of Khordad-3 is long-range, high-altitude airspace denial and strategic asset protection within Iran’s layered integrated air defense structure. The system is designed to defend critical infrastructure, military installations, and strategic facilities against advanced aerial threats.

  Its combat capability focuses on intercepting high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, airborne early warning platforms, multirole fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and cruise missiles before weapon release. The extended engagement envelope provided by Sayyad-3 and Taer-3 missiles enables deep-area interception and disruption of adversary ISR and strike coordination assets.

  With the capability to engage four targets simultaneously while guiding up to eight missiles concurrently, Khordad-3 is optimized for countering coordinated air operations and saturation attack scenarios. The integration of short-range interceptors such as 9 Dey within the same system architecture provides close-range protection against low-altitude and short-range threats, ensuring layered defensive coverage.