File image.
The Iranian military has begun operating another locally-made Meraj-4 S-band long-range early warning 3D electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
Satellite images posted to social networks on April 9 showed the advanced radar at a military base in the southeastern province of Khuzestan. This was reportedly the second system of this type to go operational in the Islamic Republic. The first is deployed in the southern province of Bushehr.
Meraj-4 was developed by Iran Electronics Industries. The company claims that the radar has a detection range from 400 to 500 kilometers, a maximum tracking range of 200 kilometers, and a 360-degree azimuth. The radar is also said to be able to track 200 targets moving at speeds up to Mach 3 simultaneously.
AESA radars like the Meraj-4 can spread their signal emissions across a wider range of frequencies, which makes them more difficult to detect over background noises and more resistant to jamming.
In addition, the Meraj-4 is reportedly compatible with Iran’s locally-made Bavar-373 long-range air defense system, which can allegedly engage aerial targets at ranges of up to 300 kilometers.
Click to see full-size image. Via X.
The deployment of the additional Meraj-4 radar came amid rising tensions with the U.S., which recently bolstered its forces across the Middle East and made direct threats to Iran over its nuclear program.
Last October, Israel carried out a series of strikes against Iran, almost four weeks after the Islamic Republic’s massive ballistic missile barrage on the country, which was the second missile attack on Israel since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Israeli military the October strikes targeted strategic military sites in Iran, specifically air defense systems. Then-defense minister Yoav Gallant said the Israeli strikes had weakened Iran’s offensive and defensive capabilities, leaving it at a huge disadvantage in the event of future action.
Since then, Iran has been working nonstop to reinforce its vast air defense network, relying mainly on locally-made systems.
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