Video / Precision-guided coastal-to-sea missiles; the new nightmare of enemy vessels

According to Rokna, the Combined Exercise 1404 of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Force was held with the participation of various units of this force along the country’s southern coasts; an exercise in which part of the force’s latest missile capabilities was showcased and newly added systems to the missile combat unit were tested operationally.

During the exercise, missile units successfully struck pre-designated targets at various distances by employing diverse and up-to-date systems.

One of the important parts of this phase was the launch of a newly added missile system which, after carrying out its first mission, was able to destroy another target at a different location; an issue that indicates the high mobility and rapid redeployment capability of these systems on the battlefield.

According to the published information, the IRGC Ground Force’s new missile systems have been equipped with advanced and distinct navigation, possess precision-strike capability, and by utilizing enhanced warheads, have the ability to penetrate enemy combat columns and fortified positions.

These features have further highlighted the role of this unit in carrying out precise and targeted offensive missions.

In recent years, the IRGC Ground Force has been equipped with diverse missile capabilities and, through exercises and various stages of operational evaluation, has added new systems to its order of battle.

Below, we refer to the most important systems that have recently been added to the missile combat unit of the IRGC Ground Force.

Fath 450; combination of long range and precise strike

In Esfand 1403 and during the defensive phase of the “Great Prophet 19” exercise, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Force unveiled its latest ballistic missile named “Fath 450”; a missile that is now recognized as one of the most important newly added systems to this force’s missile unit.

“Fath 450” has a length of 7.235 meters, a diameter of 456 millimeters, and a total mass of 1,695 kilograms, of which 225 kilograms constitute the warhead.

The circular error probable (CEP) of this missile has been announced as less than 35 meters, indicating its high accuracy in striking designated targets.

The range of this missile varies between 150 and 250 kilometers, and it can be launched from both fixed and mobile platforms.

The fuel of “Fath 450” is solid HTPB, and its maximum speed reaches 5 Mach; a figure that has increased compared to the previous generation of this family (4 Mach) and reduces the time required to reach the target.

In terms of launch system, this missile uses a single-rail launcher with tarp camouflage as well as a twin canister launcher. The twin canister version is mounted on new Iveco T-Way trucks, which increases the system’s operational mobility and survivability.

“Fath 450” is capable of being equipped with various types of warheads, including seeker-equipped, high-explosive, and fragmentation types with high-energy explosive materials; an issue that enables its adaptation to diverse operational missions.

“Fath 360”; a precise and tactical missile

Alongside “Fath 450,” the “Fath 360” missile is also considered one of the important systems in the missile order of battle of the IRGC Ground Force. This solid-fuel ballistic missile was designed by the Aerospace Industries of the Ministry of Defense and was added to the IRGC Ground Force in 1400 in the presence of Major General Salami.

“Fath 360,” with a length of 5.175 meters and a diameter of 368 millimeters, has a mass of 787 kilograms, of which 150 kilograms are related to the warhead.

The composite solid propellant (HTPB) of this missile provides it with a speed of about 4 times the speed of sound. Its strike accuracy has been announced as less than 30 meters, and it has a storage life of at least 10 years.

The range of this missile is between 30 and 120 kilometers and is presented as a replacement for the Naze’at rockets and a serious competitor to the family of guided Fajr-5 rockets.

Its launch canisters have been designed in two types, cylindrical and square, which create greater flexibility in field deployment.

“Fath 360” is equipped with bunker-buster warheads and a combined and optical guidance system and demonstrates high resistance in an electronic warfare environment.

This missile has previously been used in cross-border operations against the positions of separatist groups in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and has played a special role in destroying the intended targets.

Enhancing range and accuracy; the new strategy of the IRGC Ground Force missile unit

The recent measures of the IRGC Ground Force in developing and adding new missile systems indicate that this force is purposefully upgrading its precise strike capability, increasing operational range, and improving the survivability of its systems. The combination of high accuracy, warhead diversity, launcher mobility, and resistance to electronic warfare has strengthened the position of the IRGC Ground Force missile combat unit in regional deterrence equations.