The Iranian Army's (Artesh) Zolfaghar-1403 exercises have kicked off, here's a thread of everything seen

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NEZAJA T-72F Karrar MBTs unloading from the Hengam class landing ship IRIS Tonb Image
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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 Image
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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 Image
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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 Image
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NEZAJA T-72S MBTs & BMP-2 IFVs being used near the coast to defend against the invading Orange force Image
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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
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Non-TOW AH-1J Cobra belonging to Army Ground Force aviation (NEZAJA) on the IRIS Tonb Image
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BH.7 landing hovercraft, note the Nasr/Kowsar/Nasir AShM canisters Image
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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 Image
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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 Image

• 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
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122mm HM-40 howitzers (locally produced D-30), as well as 16 tubed 122mm Raad-24 MRLs Image
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Safir jeeps belonging to NEDAJA coastal defense units, mounting 12.7mm W-85 HMGs, 107mm M40 RCLs, & Toophan-4 thermobaric ATGM Image
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NEDAJA Marines representing the mock invasion Orange force, note G3A4 rifles which are on the process of being replaced Image
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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 Image
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NEZAJA 55th airborne brigade with newly issued Masaf-2 rifles

No optics yet again Image
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• 122mm BM-21 Grads. Note that conscripts, especially in artillery units are still quite poorly equipped

• 155mm M109 Hoveyzeh SPH Image
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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 Image

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More from @IranDefense

Feb 22
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 Image
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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 Image
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Read 17 tweets
Feb 18
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 Image


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 Image
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Read 4 tweets
Feb 17
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"

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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 Image
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Read 6 tweets
Feb 12
Khamenei made a visit to the national defense achievements exhibition. Quite a bit of new equipment unveiled, here's a thread:
New underwater launcher (possibly torpedo), launching what seems to be a Rezvan loitering munition (or a derivative of it)
New Hadid-110 low RCS kamikaze drone. Target variant also visible. Nothing too special
Read 5 tweets
Feb 8
The FARAJA border guard's Nasrallah-2 exercise has concluded, here's a thread of what we saw:

1/ FARAJA soldiers with AK-103/133s, Type-56-2s, Type-56-1/KLFs, & PKMs. Also note the mix of older Ruyin-1, Ruyin-2/3, & newer Ruyin-4 plate carriers Image
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2/ Kia-2 APCs, as well as Safir jeeps with 106mm M40 RCLs Image
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3/ Technicals based on Toyota Landcruiser 70s. Various HMGs mounted including 12.7mm DShKMs, 14.5mm CS/LM2s, & 12.7mm TG12 chainguns

Safir jeeps with a 106mm M40 RCL & 107mm Fajr-1 MRL also visible Image
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Read 7 tweets
Feb 1
The Iranian NEZAJA's (Army Ground Forces) security exercise in Kermanshah has ended, here's a thread of what we saw

Apologies for being a few days late

🧵:
Iranian 35th Rapid Reaction brigade with new Masaf-2 rifles & new gear

They're loading into a Bell-214 helicopter with new FLIR ball Image
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Iranian 55th Airborne brigade with the same new Masaf-2 rifles & new gear Image
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Read 14 tweets

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