Majid (air defense system)
| Majid Air Defense System | |
|---|---|
![]() | |
| Type | Air Defense System |
| Place of origin | Iran |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2021 - Present |
| Used by | Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force |
| Wars | Twelve-Day War 2026 Iran War |
| Specifications | |
| Effective firing range | 8 km |
| Flight altitude | 6 km |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2 |
The Majid air defense weapon system, also known as AD-08, is a short-range, low altitude surface-to-air missile system developed by Iran's defense industries organization. The Majid system made its initial appearance during a parade on April 18, 2021, and was subsequently utilized in the military exercises known as 'Defenders of the Sky of Velayat 1400' in the same year.[1][2][3][4][5]
Naming
Majid is a name derived from Majid Ghorbankhani as a Holy Shrine Defender.
Features
The Majid short-range air defence system is capable of operating in all weather conditions and can simultaneously target and launch missiles against four different threats such as drones, cruise missiles, helicopters and other low-maneuvering targets. The Majid weapon system consists of four main components: an electro-optical system for target identification and tracking, a fire control command system, a launcher with four missile compartments and AD-08 air defense missiles. The main component of this system is the target detection and tracking mechanism, where an electro-optical system is responsible for identifying targets and guiding the system. The system has a detection range of 15 km and can monitor a full 360 degrees horizontally as well as an altitude range of 0 to 12 degrees. The missiles used in the Majid system, known as AD-08 missiles, are capable of engaging targets at a maximum range of 8 km and an altitude of up to 6 km. The air defense system comprised two missiles along with an airborne radiation detection system mounted on an Aras 2 vehicle. The guidance of these missiles is passive (without wave propagation) and uses an imaging infrared seeker with proximity fuses, which increases the reliability of the system in destroying the intended targets.[6][7][8]
Operational history
Twelve-Day War
According to Tehran Times, the Majid short-range air defence system was used during the 2025 Twelve-Day War to shoot down Israeli drones operating above Iranian airspace, shooting down 17 Israeli UAVs.[9]
On 28 May 2026, Armenia publicly displayed Iran's AD-08 Majid short-range air defense system during Republic Day celebrations in Yerevan, becoming the first known foreign operator of the system. The appearance of the system marked the first confirmed export of the Majid AD-08 to a foreign military.[10][11][12]
Operators
Armenia - Armenian Armed Forces: First seen at the May 28, 2026 military parade.[13][14][15]
See also
References
- ↑ "Military Knowledge: Majid Short-Range Air Defense System". Islamic World News.
- ↑ "Iran unveils AD-08-Majid C-UAS system "with 15km range"". Unmanned Airspace, 12 January 2023. Live URL, 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Iran's Army tests Majid missile system". IRNA, 4 February 2025. Live URL, 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Iran Unveils Majid Air Missile System". Tehran: Kayhan, Kayhan Institute.
- ↑ "Iran Army successfully tests new missile system in military drillhttps://www.tabnak.ir/en/news/5945/iran-army-successfully-tests-new-missile-system-in-military-drill. tabnak.ir, 4 February 2025. Live URL, 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Iran Tests Majid Missile System Against Drones in Air Defense Drills". Tehran: iranpress.com.
- ↑ "Iran's Army tests Majid missile system". NourNews, 2 April 2025. Live URL, 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Vider: Iran Army test-launches 'Majid' Air Defense System". Tehran: Mehr News, Mehr Media Group, 11 October 2021. Live URL, 3 May 2026.
- ↑ https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/515003/Iran-downed-17-advanced-Israeli-drones-in-its-western-skies
- ↑ "Armenia Unveils iranian Majid AD-08 Air Defense System, Diversifying Away From russia One Supplier at Time | Defense Express". en.defence-ua.com. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
- ↑ "Иран впервые продал за границу систему ПВО, которой могли сбить F-35: кто стал покупателем". www.unian.net (in Russian). Retrieved 2026-05-30.
- ↑ "Iran's radar-silent missile system just made its foreign debut in Armenia". The Defence Blog – Military and Defense News. 2026-05-28. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
- ↑ Malyasov, Dylan (May 28, 2026). "Iran's radar-silent missile system just made its foreign debut in Armenia". defence-blog.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2026.
- ↑ Nazaretyan, Hovhannes (May 28, 2026). "May 28 Parade: What's New in Armenia's Arsenal". EVN Report. Archived from the original on 2 June 2026.
- ↑ Furlong, Ray; Kaviani, Hannah; Zargaryan, Robert (May 28, 2026). "Armenian Military Parade Appears To Include Iranian Air Defense System". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 8 June 2026.
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