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
Thread of everything we've seen at the second stage of the IRGC's Great Prophet 19 exercises & its side ceremonies. A lot of new equipment was seen
New Ghaem-118 anti UAV interceptor, copy? of the American Coyote Block 2/3 (ironically, originally intended to intercept cheap Iranian UAVs)
The launcher consists of 5 canisters mounted on an Aras-3 tactical vehicle
Its likely paired with this new 360° radar, akin to AN/TPQ-49
New Pirooz ATGM carriers which consist of a pop-up launcher with 4 Dehlavieh ATGMs & an EOST-8 EO/IR ball
The truck based launcher for Raad-2 loitering munitions was unveiled too, which consists of 6 canisters on an Aras-3 tactical vehicle. Around a dozen can be seen
Just before stage 2 of the Great Prophet 19 exercises, the IRGC-GF has showcased its newer drones in an exhibition. Thread on the drones seen:
🧵:
• Saber FPV, with 5km range, 15 minute flight duration, & can carry a 2kg payload. Hundreds (likely 1000+) are seen laid on a tarmac
Various AT & HE payloads can be seen, destroying a Chonma-Ho/T-62 tank, mockup personnel, & buildings. Training simulator & equipment seen too
X-wing battlefield loitering munition, akin HERO or Lancet drones:
• Saeghe-1 with 20km range, 30 minute flight duration & 1 kg warhead
• Raad-2 (formerly Rezvan) with 20 km range & 5kg warhead
Raad-3 with 100km range & 12kg warhead
The second stage of the IRGC'S Great Prophet 19 exercises has started in Southwest Iran. Soldiers from Saberin brigades were airlifted to the exercises, here's a thread of what we saw there
🧵:
We can see the followinG
• Various 4x4 & 6x6 ATVs
• Pirooz ATGM carrier/tank destroyer
• Both 12.7x99mm AM-50 Sayyad & 12.7x108mm Nasr AMRs
• Saaban-1 LMG & S-556 carbines, with RU-03 red dots & various laser sights
• Dehlavieh ATGMs
• Misagh MANPADs
• RPG-29 "Sejjil"
Soldiers loading into IL-76s. Here you can yet again see S-556 carbines with RU-03 red dots & various laser sights, which are standard for Saberin members, as well as AKS-74Us & T-5000M snipers