Click to see original-size image. Source: Fars News Agency.
On July 7, Iran unveiled the ground-launched version of the “Almas” anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) which is a direct copy of the Israeli Spike system.
The missile was presented during a ceremony that the saw the delivery of modern equipment and weapons to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Force.
The ceremony was attended by IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami, IRGC Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour and a group of other commanders, officials and senior experts of the Armed Forces.
An air-launched version of the Almas ATGM, with a range of the 8 kilometers, was unveiled by Iran last year. It is unclear if the ground-launched version has the same range.
It seems long-awaited land-based variant of the new Iranian “Almaz” (Almas) ATGM was unveiled during ceremony transfer of various new weapons to the ground forces of the IRGC.
from @MohamadTaheri90 pic.twitter.com/MNgH45i2ne— Yuri Lyamin (@imp_navigator) July 7, 2021
Just like the Israeli Spike ATGM, Almas is equipped with an electro-optical or an infrared imaging seeker. The ATGM has a top-attack feature, meaning it can target armoured vehicles from above as a form of plunging fire. Almas’ ground-launcher is almost an identical copy of the Spike command and launcher unit.
During the same ceremony, the IRGC received a variety of equipment and weapons, including missiles, vehicles, drones, helicopters, and electronic warfare systems.
A locally-upgraded AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter armed with the locally-made Qaem-114, a copy of the US AGM-114 Hellfire, was showcased.
Upgraded AH-1J Toufan-2 with new Ghaem-114 guided missiles.
Photos by @mohshaltouki pic.twitter.com/uH64JOcE97— Yuri Lyamin (@imp_navigator) July 7, 2021
Some more photos of the Almas ATGM and AJ-1J Toufan-2 helicopter with Ghaem-114 missiles. pic.twitter.com/VepAs2lWmn
— Yuri Lyamin (@imp_navigator) July 7, 2021
Iran’s domestic defense capabilities grew significantly in the last few years. Political and economic pressure from the US and its allies failed to slow down Tehran’s military development.
