In a significant development amid escalating tensions with Israel, Iran has deployed its domestically developed Zoubin air defence missile system. The Zoubin, capable of intercepting aerial threats from all directions, is built with advanced, indigenously designed technology aimed at countering threats similar to those managed by Israel’s Iron Dome system, reports the India.com.
The Zoubin system, developed by Iran’s defence sector, is capable of intercepting a range of low-altitude threats, including short-range cruise missiles, rockets, drones, and even low-flying aircraft. It is reportedly stationed around strategic sites, including the capital Tehran, following recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s Shahroud Space Centre on October 26. These strikes are said to have targeted a military facility housing hypersonic missiles and solid fuel supplies, sparking further regional tension.
Engineered with mobility and adaptability in mind, the Zoubin system is mounted on a 6×6 truck chassis for swift repositioning. Its 360-degree radar can detect up to 100 targets within a 30-kilometer range, with the capability to intercept up to 100 threats within a 20-kilometer radius. Equipped with vertical-launch canisters holding eight interceptor missiles each, the Zoubin is designed to handle coordinated aerial attacks effectively, making saturation tactics difficult for adversaries to employ successfully.
The Zoubin’s multi-target tracking, rapid response capabilities, and ability to intercept low-altitude targets, including helicopters and fighter jets, add a versatile layer to Iran’s defence. However, experts note that real-time performance will determine its effectiveness.
The Zoubin’s deployment comes in the wake of escalating hostilities, marked by Israel’s October 26 airstrikes on Iranian military targets. This was reportedly in response to an October 1 missile barrage from Iran, indicating an intensifying standoff between the two regional rivals.
With the Zoubin system now active, Iran aims to strengthen its defences against any future incursions, signalling a heightened state of preparedness as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
