Iran has deployed in Syria a latest generation air defense missile system called Bavar-373 to counter air attacks by Israel, specifically targeting the F-35 fighter jet.
The Bavar-373 anti-missile/anti-aircraft system can detect and neutralize stealth fighter jets like the US F-35 on paper, but this needs to be tested in reality, which is always different.
The Bavar-373 radar has a detection range of 400 to 500 km, a maximum target tracking range of 200 km in a 360-degree rotation.
The same information states that, in the last two years, the Israeli air force has carried out several airstrikes on Syrian territory, such as in Palmyra and Tartus in October 2021, in Latakia in December 2021, in Damascus in March 2022, an additional strike in Tartus in July 2022 and two attacks in Homs in November and December 2022.
Iranian’s upgrade of many weapons systems is a signal for a possible conflict with Israel
Iran will modernize its Air Defense Forces with new aerial surveillance radars, SAM missiles and command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. Iran’s recent 5-year development plan continues to prioritize building missiles, naval forces and air defense systems, with renewed emphasis on its Air Force and EW (Electronic Warfare) capabilities.
Iran’s air defense forces operate Iran’s most capable air defense missile system, the SA-20C, an export version of the S-300PMU2 system, which Russia sold to Iran in 2016, as well as cruise missiles.
Tehran is very likely to use the SA-20C anti-aircraft system to protect its most critical infrastructure, such as its nuclear facilities and Tehran.
The Iranians also use SAMs (Surface-to-Air Missiles) including a mix of American, Russian and Chinese legacy systems, including the long-range SA-5, medium-range I-HAWK and CSA-1 SA-2 missiles, and short-range SA- 15 and Rapier.
Iran has also locally developed the long-range Bavar-373 SAM air defense system, which it claims is more advanced than the Russian S-300.
The first prototype of the Bavar-373 was built on 22 November 2011 and was officially unveiled during a ceremony attended by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on 22 August 2019.
The Iranians have decided to deploy new Bavar 373 air defense missile systems in Syria
The information states that the Bavar-373 system can launch the Sayyad-4B surface-to-air missile designed to engage and intercept incoming air targets at a range of up to 300 km and at an altitude of up to 120 km.
The Bavar-373 is an air defense missile system designed to detect and intercept incoming missiles, drones and aircraft at long ranges and high altitudes, and is intended to protect Iranian territory and strategic assets from air and missile attacks. The system reportedly uses a combination of radar, optical sensors and command and control systems to detect, track and intercept targets.
Recent improvements to this system are intended to increase the range, accuracy and effectiveness of the missile against a wide range of targets, including cruise missiles, drones and fighter aircraft.
