Iran is preparing for the Israeli attack with a Chinese laser system

About a week has passed since Iran’s 180 ballistic missile attack on Israel, the second in number after that of April 14, and it seems that the Ayatollah regime has brought its absorption alertness to a peak: as part of preparations for a public appearance by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a Chinese-made laser air defense system was deployed.

The “Shen Nong” system deployed in honor of Khamenei’s Friday sermon, according to a report on the TWZ website, is designed to blind unmanned aircraft or even intercept them in certain situations. The system can be deployed on the basis of an operating container or on 4×4 vehicles. In the case of Khamenei’s sermon, a cloth was spread that hides – but the assessment is that it is a configuration of a container.

Requires 5 minutes to recharge and is limited by weather conditions

Shen Nong’s radar is capable of detecting threats at a distance of 5 km, with its laser at a power of 10-20 kilowatts. As part of its activation, it is possible to blind drones at a distance of 3 km, or intercept them at a range of 1.5 km. The laser can be activated for 200 seconds, after which the system requires five minutes (300 seconds) to recharge.

Beyond the time required for the Chinese system to recharge, all laser defense systems have a number of disadvantages: First, the system intercepts in a column, which means that in the case of a swarm of UAVs, it will only intercept one UAV – unless several systems are deployed at the same time. The second problem that complicates the system is the effect of cloudy weather, haze and fog that limit its activity.

From time to time, Iran deploys various air defense systems, depending on the state of readiness, as reflected in the Chinese system. In August, the AD-08 Majid system, which was developed in the Iranian defense industry for short-range threats and ROK (close to the ground ROM), was observed on the streets of Tehran. The system is designed to intercept threats at a height of between 20 meters and 6 km and at a range of between 700 meters and -15 km.

It was introduced about two and a half years ago, noting that it is intended to deal with UAVs, cruise missiles, helicopters and other low aerial threats. Initially it was announced that the system was intended to be installed on the local 4×4 tactical vehicle, Aras-2, but in a photo from Tehran it appears that it is carried on On top of a light truck. The AD-08 includes four launchers that cover 360 degrees, and includes electro-optical technology that allows it to locate the targets and guide the interceptors. The system uses the “Kashf-99” radar.

Despite Iran’s domestic developments, it can only envy Israel for its multi-layered air defense system, which disrupts its plans for the second time. In the upper layers are arrow 3 and arrow 2 produced by the aerospace industry, with the difference between them being that arrow 3 is intended for interception outside the atmosphere and arrow 2 inside the atmosphere. Below them are the two systems manufactured by Rafael: a David slingshot for medium-range threats, and an Iron Dome for short-range threats.

In the second half of next year, Rafael’s “Magan Or” system for laser protection is expected to be integrated. It is expected to be much more powerful than the Chinese system, with a power of about 100 kilowatts that will allow it to be used against various threats and at greater ranges. Magen Or is intended for a range of about 10 km, and will be a complementary measure to Iron Dome.