The Iranian Army's (Artesh) Zolfaghar-1403 exercises have kicked off, here's a thread of everything seen
🧵:
NEZAJA T-72F Karrar MBTs unloading from the Hengam class landing ship IRIS Tonb
More photos of T-72F Karrar MBTs during the mock amphibious assault
These tanks represent a mock invasion force dubbed Orange force during the exercise, being put against Iranian coastal defense units
BMP-2 IFVs being unloaded from the same Hengam class landing ship, IRIS Tonb
Note enlarged ATGM sight, indicating it's been upgraded to use Dehlavieh ATGMs. Also an unnamed sensor
NEDAJA coastal defense infantry with new standard issue Masaf-2 rifles, as well as 40mm Qader-2 MGLs & PKM LMGs
The lack of optics is quite concerning. Replacing G3 with Masaf, but then not issuing optics is quite dumb. Hopefully that will change
NEZAJA T-72S MBTs & BMP-2 IFVs being used near the coast to defend against the invading Orange force
NEDAJA helicopters, including SH-3Ds, CH-53Ds, & AB-212s
Note the AB-212s fitted with 10 tube 70mm Hydra rocket pods & FLIR balls
Iranian NEDAJA Marines can be seen being deployed on shore, with AK-103/133 rifles & new issued helmets
Non-TOW AH-1J Cobra belonging to Army Ground Force aviation (NEZAJA) on the IRIS Tonb
BH.7 landing hovercraft, note the Nasr/Kowsar/Nasir AShM canisters
IRIAF (NAHAJA) MiG-29A, MiG-29UB, & F-4D jets. Quite adequated, with MiG-29s being more suited for engaging cruise missiles & drones then modern aircraft
UAVs:
• Karrar jet UCAVs with Majid air to air missiles. Note drones with nose mounted EO/IR, which likely serve as "leaders" for the other drones
• Ababil-4 ISTAR UAV belonging the Army Ground Forces (NEZAJA)
• Mohajer-4 UAV & Homa VTOL UAV with various sensors/equipment
• Launch of 533mm Valfajr torpedo, by a Fateh class attack submarine (The Kilo class "Taregh" participated but was unseen)
• Ghadir midget subs. Whilst quite crude, their vast quantity & the environment of the Persian Gulf makes them a crucial part of Iranian naval doctrine
122mm HM-40 howitzers (locally produced D-30), as well as 16 tubed 122mm Raad-24 MRLs
Safir jeeps belonging to NEDAJA coastal defense units, mounting 12.7mm W-85 HMGs, 107mm M40 RCLs, & Toophan-4 thermobaric ATGM
NEDAJA Marines representing the mock invasion Orange force, note G3A4 rifles which are on the process of being replaced
AD-08 Majid SHORAD system mounted on Iveco Daily 4x4, which seems to be gaining popularity over the Aras-2 mount
Kasta-2E2 radar aswell
NEZAJA 55th airborne brigade with newly issued Masaf-2 rifles
No optics yet again
• 122mm BM-21 Grads. Note that conscripts, especially in artillery units are still quite poorly equipped
• 155mm M109 Hoveyzeh SPH
YAK-130 trainer jets participated in exercises for the first time
A video of one engaging a target drone with an R-73 AAM, alongside a MiG-29UB & MiG-29A, was released
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